Top-ten free agent signings in Phoenix Suns history

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PHOENIX – NOVEMBER 17: Danny Ainge of the Phoenix Suns talks to his team against the Los Angeles Lakers during a game on November 17, 1996 at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

The Phoenix Suns have signed a number of memorable players in free agency since 1988, arguably putting together a championship worthy team or free agents alone, although each with the intention of being one of the most important pieces of the championship teams SUns management was attempting to piece together.

Granted, none of them have led or been a part of a championship team, but most of them have given fans lasting memories, whether it be through individual moments, or as a part of teams or events that are forever etched in our memories.

These are the honorable mentions:

Wayman Tisdale

(3.1 Win Share (WS) / .104 WS per-48min)

Wayman Tisdale, for instance, the 16th best unrestricted free agency singing in franchise history according to Win Share, was not only the third player in three years that Jerry Colangelo stole away through free agency by offering a handshake deal on a long-term contract with the understanding that if they would sign a cheaper one-year deal to try and win now, they would be richly compensated on their next contract. Tisdale would become a fan favorite who was a part of the 1996-97 team that started 0-13, that climbed all the way back to 40-42, including an 11-game winning streak near the end of the season (the first team in NBA history to have a double-digit losing streak and winning streak in the same year), and a shocking playoff appearance – that they nearly won.

Quentin Richardson

(5.8 WS / .098 WS Per-48)

Quentin Richardson is best known for his 3-point shooting – for one season with Phoenix, the league’s Klay Thompson before the Splash Bros. were even conceptualized – setting a franchise record for most 3-pointers made and attempted in a season (226-631), and performing as one of the team’s most vicious snipers (with he, Steve Nash, and Leandro Barbosa) on the 2004-05 team’s way to the Western Conference Finals.

Rex Chapman

(10.0 WS / .077 WS Per-48)

Rex Chapman was also a sniper, his most memorable moment (and 3-pointer) in the playoffs. In the surprising playoff team of ’97 season, as referenced with Tisdale, in game four, up 2-1 on the number two seed Seattle SuperSonics, Jason Kidd air-mailed an inbound pass over the head of Chapman with 4.7 seconds remaining. Chapman adjusted to catch it, turned and on one leg fading away, hit a 3-pointer that shall forever go down as one of the greatest shots in Phoenix Suns history.

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