No extensions for Jason Richardson and Earl Clark from Phoenix Suns
After making a last-minute decision to give Jared Dudley a contract extension on Monday 1 November, the Phoenix Suns did not pick up their team option for Earl Clark and are not ready to
sit down with Jason Richardson to talk about a new deal.
According to Suns president Lon Babby, Richardson is eligible to sign a contract extension with Phoenix until 30 June of next year, but they are still going to evaluate the 29-year old guard
before making a move to extend his stint with the team.
"Jason is a valued member of this team. He's under contract," Babby said. "We haven't had any discussions. We've got to figure out where our team is and again try to figure out where the
rules are. I have no idea where that's going to go, if it's going to go anywhere. We haven't even begun to think about it."
The 6ft 6in guard and former Michigan State standout is currently on a roll this season, averaging 19 points and four rebounds in their first four games.
While Richardson’s status with the team is still left hanging on the balance, second-year forward Earl Clark will be an unrestricted free agent next summer after the Suns declined to pick
up their $2.03 team option, that would have kept Clark in Phoenix until the end of the 2011-12 season.
"We respect Earl," said Babby. "Just looking forward, it didn't seem like we could make that commitment to him now. It certainly doesn't mean that he doesn't have a future in the NBA. He's
going to be a terrific NBA player."
The 2009 14th-overall pick, who has only played for 27 seconds this season, was disappointed, but he understands his team’s decision and vowed to work harder to prove his worth.
"A little bit disappointed," Clark said. "But in this business, that's what you got to go through. There's nothing I can do about it now but stay positive, continue to be a good teammate
and work hard."
Clark, along with Suns’ rookies Garret Siler, Matt Janning, and Gani Lawal could be assigned to the Iowa Energy of the NBA D-League this season.
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