George O'Brien

I suppose that when the Suns failed to sign JJ to an extension last fall, it looked like the Suns weren't committed to keeping him. That plus the addition of Q and the belief the Suns need a center and can't afford one if they sign JJ has led people to think the Suns won't match.

They're wrong as long as the deal is not too outrageious. IMHO JJ will NOT get an outrageous offer because there are too many other prime prospects who will be getting interest as well (selected from RealGM.com)

Antoine Walker Boston Unrestricted Free Agent
Jason Kapono Charlotte Restricted Free Agent
Brevin Knight Charlotte Unrestricted Free Agent
Tyson Chandler Chicago Restricted Free Agent
Eddy Curry Chicago Restricted Free Agent
Chris Duhon Chicago Restricted Free Agent
Jeff McInnis Cleveland Unrestricted Free Agent
Alan Henderson Dallas Unrestricted Free Agent
DerMarr Johnson Denver Unrestricted Free Agent
Wesley Person Denver Unrestricted Free Agent
Dikembe Mutombo Houston Unrestricted Free Agent
Dale Davis Indiana Unrestricted Free Agent
Marko Jaric L.A. Clippers Restricted Free Agent
Kerry Kittles L.A. Clippers Unrestricted Free Agent
Mikki Moore L.A. Clippers Unrestricted Free Agent
Bobby Simmons L.A. Clippers Unrestricted Free Agent
Stromile Swift Memphis Unrestricted Free Agent
Earl Watson Memphis Unrestricted Free Agent
Udonis Haslem Miami Restricted Free Agent
Dan Gadzuric Milwaukee Restricted Free Agent
Zaza Pachulia Milwaukee Restricted Free Agent
Dan Dickau New Orleans Unrestricted Free Agent
Lee Nailon New Orleans Unrestricted Free Agent
Samuel Dalembert Philadelphia Restricted Free Agent
Willie Green Philadelphia Restricted Free Agent
Kyle Korver Philadelphia Restricted Free Agent
Shareef Abdur-Rahim Portland Unrestricted Free Agent
Ray Allen Seattle Unrestricted Free Agent
Reggie Evans Seattle Restricted Free Agent
Jerome James Seattle Unrestricted Free Agent
Ronald Murray Seattle Restricted Free Agent
Vladimir Radmanovic Seattle Restricted Free Agent
Donyell Marshall Toronto Unrestricted Free Agent
Raja Bell Utah Unrestricted Free Agent
Kwame Brown Washington Restricted Free Agent
Larry Hughes Washington Unrestricted Free Agent

Michael Redd is not technically a free agent, but there is no doubt he will exercise his player option. They have Reggie Evens listed as an RFA, but Patricia's showns him as unrestricted.

Most of these guys will not get more than the MLE through free agency, but a team that is well below the cap could try to sign two or three guys and still trade draft picks for players.

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azirishmusic

overseascardsfan

I believe they have to match because they can't let him go without getting compensation for him. Looking at the Dampier trade last summer, it didn't pan out and I thought he was what we needed (rebounding, defense, and toughness) but it appears his proness to injuries will not go away. If the Sun's wanted a center they should have traded JJ for Dalembert but he's in the same situation, RFA. So they must keep JJ now, unless they can sign and trade him for a player of equal value.