Suns strike first, Bell Agrees to Terms

[Fresh]

The first strike of the NBA's 2005 summer shopping market has hit the Jazz hard. Unrestricted free agent swingman Raja Bell informed the Jazz he has orally accepted a contract offer from the Phoenix Suns, Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor confirmed Friday.

"We're disappointed we lost him," O'Connor said, "but that's free agency."
The contract agreed to by Bell, who had been identified by Jazz officials as a signing priority for the summer, is believed to average $4 million to $6 million per season.

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[Ferretsquig]

The contract agreed to by Bell, who had been identified by Jazz officials as a signing priority for the summer, is believed to average $4 million to $6 million per season.

They're giving their MLE to Bell????? I guess hes supposed to fill in for Quentin.... Seems a bit pricey though for a guy who hasnt done much of anything in his nba career.

 

[phunwin]

Bell can play defense, which appears to be a skill that most Suns lack. That's probably why they went after him. With him and Kurt Thomas, that team should be better on D next year.

 

[K-train]

He also fits there style well.

 

[amir7]

some perimeter defense is exactly what the suns need, or theyll get burned by manu ginobili again.