Phoenix Suns decide against picking up player option on newly acquired Wesley Johnson – NBA News
Wesley Johnson is one of those players who have a great deal to prove in the coming NBA season, and could make or break his career in the NBA depending on his performance. Johnson was acquired by the Phoenix Suns in the summer after having spent two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves without being able to make any considerable impact in the team. He averaged just under eight points and three rebounds per game, and the Wolves were not impressed by what they saw.
Now that Johnson has the opportunity of a new start in a new team, he will be looking to make every minute count. However, he does not have much time to do so, only the next season to be exact as the Suns have decided not to pick up his option for the 2013-2014 NBA season.
Considering that Johnson has only been in Phoenix for about a month, it would have been very difficult for them to decide on his importance to the team or value to the future of the Suns organization. And since the team did not want to be tied down to him for a long time in case he did not deliver, they decided to play out his contract this season and then decide about the next season during the summer.
Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic has reported that the Suns have decided to not pick up the option of his contract for the 2013-2014 season worth $ 5.4 million.
“The #Suns told Wes Johnson that they won’t pick up a $5.4M option on him for 2013-14 but hope to sign him in July. He said he wants to stay,” tweeted Coro.
The team’s President of Basketball Operations, Lon Babby, said during a recent lunch with local media that one month was too small a time to properly analyze Johnson and his value to the team. Hence, the management decided against committing to him for the long term.
The Suns organization is inclined towards not committing to a player long term unless they are sure of his potential. The plan could backfire for the team, as Johnson could have a breakout year this season and then sign with some other team in free agency next summer. But at the moment, they are willing to take the risk.
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