Eastern Conference
Earl Clark
New Team: Brooklyn Nets
Role with Nets: End of the bench guy
Years with Phoenix: 2 (2009-11)
Comments: The Suns drafted Earl Clark and he seemed like he would make some impact. Not right away, but down the road sometime. The Sun traded him to the Orlando Magic, then he went to the Los Angeles Lakers and made an impact for a year. He’s still a journeyman having gone to Cleveland and now ending up in Brooklyn.
Joe Johnson
New team: Brooklyn Nets
Role with Nets: Starting shooting guard, star player, veteran presence
Years with Phoenix: 4 (2001-05)
Comments: Remember when Joe Johnson was in a Suns uniform? He was drafted in 2001 by the Boston Celtics and quickly traded to Phoenix where he excelled in the pre-Nash Suns years. Then he left because Phoenix wouldn’t pay him the ridiculous amount he wanted and sat in Atlanta losing while the Suns flourished under Nash starting in 2005.
Shawn Marion
New team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Role with Cavaliers: Backup small forward, veteran presence, energy guy, rebounder
Years with Phoenix: 9 (1999-08)
Comments: Marion was in Phoenix even before Johnson. Drafted in 1999, he was with the Suns for eight and a half years. “The Matrix” had easily the fastest “second jump,” and was an amazing rebounder and leaper. While his shot was certainly ugly and unconventional, it was decently effective and consistent. He gave the Suns a lot of good times and was a fan favorite, but after a couple stops he is just ring chasing in Cleveland with LeBron James, which is what he should be doing.
James Jones
New team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Role with Cavaliers: LeBron’s friend basically sums it up, three-point specialist
Years with Phoenix: 2 (2005-07)
Comments: You probably didn’t remember James Jones was still in the league, let alone that he played for the Suns. But he did. A knockdown three-point shooter is basically what he is known for. He also had stops in Indiana and Portland, but is famous for his six years in Miami, where he befriended LeBron James and followed him back to Cleveland this season.
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