Looking to add size and depth to their bench, the Phoenix Suns are apparently set to sign unrestricted free agent forward Scott Padgett to a multi-year deal when contracts can be officially tendered next week. The Suns can’t comment on any player transactions involving free agents, but the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Padgett told Houston television station KRIV Thursday night that he is headed to Phoenix and is looking forward to playing with reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash. A good shooter with good 3-point range for a big man, the 29-year-old Padgett just finished his sixth NBA season and second with the Rockets, averaging 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in about 14 minutes of playing time. He started four times in Houston’s loss to Dallas in the opening round of this year’s Western Conference playoffs, averaging 3.6 points and over 15 minutes. After playing his college ball at Kentucky, where he helped the Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA title, Padgett was a first-round pick (No. 28 overall) by Utah in 1999, averaging a career-high 6.7 points in 75 games with the Jazz in the 2001-02 season. News of Padgett’s impending arrival comes a day after the Suns shipped Jake Voskuhl to the Charlotte Bobcats for a conditional secondround pick. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=45316
