The Arizona Republic

Kerr denies conflict in TNT, Suns positions

A column in USA TODAY suggests he should quit one job.

By JIM GINTONIO

The Arizona Republic

Ex-Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr, an investor and adviser to new Suns managing owner Robert Sarver, said yesterday he sees no conflict of interest between his participation in a visit to Dallas to recruit free-agent point guard Steve Nash and his duties as an NBA analyst for TNT.

“I talked to my bosses at TNT about the arrangement,” Kerr told The Republic in response to a USA TODAY column by Rudy Martzke accusing him of a conflict of interest. “I’m an adviser to Sarver, and I will continue to call games for TNT.

“I probably won’t do any Suns games. But if I did, I call it like I see it. I did a lot of games for San Antonio (his former team). Those are my best buddies, and I had to rip them quite a few times.

“I could understand if this were Wall Street or insider trader going on, but it’s a basketball game. The main thing is the people who are my employers, the people at Turner, they have no problem at all.”

According to Martzke’s column, Kerr said three months ago he would back out of the Suns deal if his TNT bosses felt a conflict of interest arose.

Kerr was part of the Suns contingent that flew to Dallas last week on a private plane to convince Nash to accept a five-year $65 million offer.

But Kerr told the Republic he did not participate in the negotiations.

Kerr, who is not an employee of the Suns, also told the Republic: “I’m very confident that fans out there will not care one way or another. I’m going to be objective, and that’s about it. There’s no reason to worry about me compromising myself because of my position.”

Martzke wrote, “If Kerr is recruiting players for the Suns, how could he be assigned to Phoenix games by TNT? Or how can Kerr be assigned to Western Conference games, whose teams the Suns are battling for playoff spots?

“To eliminate these awkward decisions, Kerr would be well advised to step down from the management committee and halt his recruitment of players if, as he reiterated yesterday, he wants to stay in TV.”

Turner senior vice president Greg Hughes told Martzke Turner likens Kerr’s situation to that of TNT studio analyst Magic Johnson, who is a co-owner and vice president of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Similar to Magic, Steve has a role with a franchise,” Hughes said, “but it is the offseason and we’re going to talk to him further about his role with the Suns and us as we get closer to the season.”

Martzke wrote, “TNT hired Johnson full time two years ago, even though his positions with the Lakers represented a conflict of interest with his TV role. TNT should at least identify Johnson as a Lakers vice president when he offers opinions on the team. That said, one analyst with a conflict of interest is more than enough for TNT.

“Network officials should urge Kerr to reduce his commitments to the Suns. Kerr’s credibility at TNT is an issue. You cannot recruit players and then say you don’t have a conflict of interest because you’re not signing the players.”

The Arizona Republic

Kerr denies conflict in TNT, Suns positions

A column in USA TODAY suggests he should quit one job.

By JIM GINTONIO

The Arizona Republic

Ex-Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr, an investor and adviser to new Suns managing owner Robert Sarver, said yesterday he sees no conflict of interest between his participation in a visit to Dallas to recruit free-agent point guard Steve Nash and his duties as an NBA analyst for TNT.

“I talked to my bosses at TNT about the arrangement,” Kerr told The Republic in response to a USA TODAY column by Rudy Martzke accusing him of a conflict of interest. “I’m an adviser to Sarver, and I will continue to call games for TNT.

“I probably won’t do any Suns games. But if I did, I call it like I see it. I did a lot of games for San Antonio (his former team). Those are my best buddies, and I had to rip them quite a few times.

“I could understand if this were Wall Street or insider trader going on, but it’s a basketball game. The main thing is the people who are my employers, the people at Turner, they have no problem at all.”

According to Martzke’s column, Kerr said three months ago he would back out of the Suns deal if his TNT bosses felt a conflict of interest arose.

Kerr was part of the Suns contingent that flew to Dallas last week on a private plane to convince Nash to accept a five-year $65 million offer.

But Kerr told the Republic he did not participate in the negotiations.

Kerr, who is not an employee of the Suns, also told the Republic: “I’m very confident that fans out there will not care one way or another. I’m going to be objective, and that’s about it. There’s no reason to worry about me compromising myself because of my position.”

Martzke wrote, “If Kerr is recruiting players for the Suns, how could he be assigned to Phoenix games by TNT? Or how can Kerr be assigned to Western Conference games, whose teams the Suns are battling for playoff spots?

“To eliminate these awkward decisions, Kerr would be well advised to step down from the management committee and halt his recruitment of players if, as he reiterated yesterday, he wants to stay in TV.”

Turner senior vice president Greg Hughes told Martzke Turner likens Kerr’s situation to that of TNT studio analyst Magic Johnson, who is a co-owner and vice president of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Similar to Magic, Steve has a role with a franchise,” Hughes said, “but it is the offseason and we’re going to talk to him further about his role with the Suns and us as we get closer to the season.”

Martzke wrote, “TNT hired Johnson full time two years ago, even though his positions with the Lakers represented a conflict of interest with his TV role. TNT should at least identify Johnson as a Lakers vice president when he offers opinions on the team. That said, one analyst with a conflict of interest is more than enough for TNT.

“Network officials should urge Kerr to reduce his commitments to the Suns. Kerr’s credibility at TNT is an issue. You cannot recruit players and then say you don’t have a conflict of interest because you’re not signing the players.”

The Arizona Republic

Team officials fly to Dallas to offer the 5-year deal to the point guard.

By PAUL CORO

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns made the first big splash of the free-agency season by agreeing to terms with Dallas point guard Steve Nash.

The former Suns backup point guard becomes the starting point guard with a deal that will pay him slightly more than $65 million over five years with a “partial agreement” for a sixth season, Nash’s agent, Bill Duffy, told The Arizona Republic.

Nash is unable to sign the contract until July 14, when the league’s salary cap will be set. Yesterday was the first day teams could negotiate with free agents, although Phoenix was able to start at 9 p.m. Wednesday because of the time difference.

The Suns contacted Nash by phone immediately Wednesday night and followed up with a huge contingent visiting him yesterday in Dallas.

New Suns managing owner Robert Sarver, team chairman Jerry Colangelo, team president and general manager Bryan Colangelo, coach Mike D’Antoni, consultant and part owner ex-Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr, star power forward Amare Stoudemire and scout Rex Chapman made the presentation that Nash accepted.

The Suns’ contingent met with Nash and Duffy for about eight hours at a Dallas house, but not Nash’s.

Nash had received a four-year offer from Dallas owner Mark Cuban yesterday morning. Cuban declined to match the Suns’ offer, leaving Nash to accept Phoenix’s proposal in the afternoon, only about an hour after the meeting.

“It was organized, well thought out, and they showed him they could be something very special,” Duffy said. “We came here to do business. The Colangelos don’t fool around, and Steve reacted in a positive way. They know him, and he knows them.”

Nash and Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant were the Suns’ top targets in free agency. There are several indications that Bryant intends to stay in Los Angeles. Even if he does not agree to the Lakers’ offer of about $130 million, the Clippers will be his suitors.

Point guard and center were the two positions that needed the biggest upgrade for the Suns to ascend quickly in the West.

Nash also brings the leadership the club sorely needed after playing with the league’s youngest roster last year. Nash is seen as an ideal mentor for 21-year-old Brazilian Leandro Barbosa.

Phoenix will still have the room to pursue a big man in free agency. Those candidates would be topped by Detroit’s Mehmet Okur.

The Arizona Republic

Team officials fly to Dallas to offer the 5-year deal to the point guard.

By PAUL CORO

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns made the first big splash of the free-agency season by agreeing to terms with Dallas point guard Steve Nash.

The former Suns backup point guard becomes the starting point guard with a deal that will pay him slightly more than $65 million over five years with a “partial agreement” for a sixth season, Nash’s agent, Bill Duffy, told The Arizona Republic.

Nash is unable to sign the contract until July 14, when the league’s salary cap will be set. Yesterday was the first day teams could negotiate with free agents, although Phoenix was able to start at 9 p.m. Wednesday because of the time difference.

The Suns contacted Nash by phone immediately Wednesday night and followed up with a huge contingent visiting him yesterday in Dallas.

New Suns managing owner Robert Sarver, team chairman Jerry Colangelo, team president and general manager Bryan Colangelo, coach Mike D’Antoni, consultant and part owner ex-Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr, star power forward Amare Stoudemire and scout Rex Chapman made the presentation that Nash accepted.

The Suns’ contingent met with Nash and Duffy for about eight hours at a Dallas house, but not Nash’s.

Nash had received a four-year offer from Dallas owner Mark Cuban yesterday morning. Cuban declined to match the Suns’ offer, leaving Nash to accept Phoenix’s proposal in the afternoon, only about an hour after the meeting.

“It was organized, well thought out, and they showed him they could be something very special,” Duffy said. “We came here to do business. The Colangelos don’t fool around, and Steve reacted in a positive way. They know him, and he knows them.”

Nash and Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant were the Suns’ top targets in free agency. There are several indications that Bryant intends to stay in Los Angeles. Even if he does not agree to the Lakers’ offer of about $130 million, the Clippers will be his suitors.

Point guard and center were the two positions that needed the biggest upgrade for the Suns to ascend quickly in the West.

Nash also brings the leadership the club sorely needed after playing with the league’s youngest roster last year. Nash is seen as an ideal mentor for 21-year-old Brazilian Leandro Barbosa.

Phoenix will still have the room to pursue a big man in free agency. Those candidates would be topped by Detroit’s Mehmet Okur.

The Arizona Republic

Tucson native buys the Suns

By CRAIG HARRIS

The Arizona Republic

So, how does a millionaire real-estate and banking executive celebrate the purchase of the Phoenix Suns? With a milkshake, of course.

Tucson native Robert Sarver officially became the NBA team’s managing owner yesterday when the league’s board of governors approved a $401 million sale.

Sarver and a dozen investors, Suns Legacy Partners, put down 65 percent and will pay the balance over three years.

The deal calls for $200 million in cash and the assumption of $201 million in team debt.

Sarver will own about 30 percent of the franchise. His partners include investors from around the Phoenix area and state.

Former Suns star Charles Barkley, who initially said he would invest in the team, decided not to join the group.

“I feel good and I’m excited,” Sarver said in a phone interview. “I’m glad to get the paperwork and money stuff out of the way and get on to the fun stuff – basketball.”

Sarver declined to disclose players the Suns will pursue in free agency, but said he intends to focus on acquisitions.

Sarver, who now lives near San Diego, said he would take his wife and three young boys to a Red Robin restaurant to celebrate completion of the sale.

“I may even splurge and get a chocolate milkshake,” he said.

Sarver said he intends to improve the atmosphere at America West Arena, which will feature a new scoreboard and an under-40 club this fall.

“The selection of Robert Sarver to pass on the torch is one that I felt strongly about,” said Jerry Colangelo, the team’s former managing general partner. He will stay on as team chairman.

“He was the right guy,” Colangelo said. “He said he would take it to the finish line and he did.”

Sarver joked that he and Colangelo, the team’s first general manager in 1968, signed so many papers over the past two days that 100 trees were chopped down.

Colangelo joked it was about 10 times more paperwork than in 1987, when he formed an investment group to buy the team for $44.5 million.

“Back then, it was a mom-and-pop operation, but the company has grown in size in terms of an arena and other teams,” Colangelo said. “It’s a big deal now.”

Sarver’s purchase included the Arizona Rattlers. Kim Coben, a lawyer licensed in Pennsylvania, was unable to close the deal to partner with Sarver and control the Arena Football League team.

Rattlers president Jim Pitman, who worked closely on the Suns and Rattlers transaction, said Sarver will continue to look for other partners with the Rattlers, who are committed to playing the 2005 season.

The Arena League franchise is now worth about $17 million.

Reporter Richard Obert contributed to this article.

The Arizona Republic

Tucson native buys the Suns

By CRAIG HARRIS

The Arizona Republic

So, how does a millionaire real-estate and banking executive celebrate the purchase of the Phoenix Suns? With a milkshake, of course.

Tucson native Robert Sarver officially became the NBA team’s managing owner yesterday when the league’s board of governors approved a $401 million sale.

Sarver and a dozen investors, Suns Legacy Partners, put down 65 percent and will pay the balance over three years.

The deal calls for $200 million in cash and the assumption of $201 million in team debt.

Sarver will own about 30 percent of the franchise. His partners include investors from around the Phoenix area and state.

Former Suns star Charles Barkley, who initially said he would invest in the team, decided not to join the group.

“I feel good and I’m excited,” Sarver said in a phone interview. “I’m glad to get the paperwork and money stuff out of the way and get on to the fun stuff – basketball.”

Sarver declined to disclose players the Suns will pursue in free agency, but said he intends to focus on acquisitions.

Sarver, who now lives near San Diego, said he would take his wife and three young boys to a Red Robin restaurant to celebrate completion of the sale.

“I may even splurge and get a chocolate milkshake,” he said.

Sarver said he intends to improve the atmosphere at America West Arena, which will feature a new scoreboard and an under-40 club this fall.

“The selection of Robert Sarver to pass on the torch is one that I felt strongly about,” said Jerry Colangelo, the team’s former managing general partner. He will stay on as team chairman.

“He was the right guy,” Colangelo said. “He said he would take it to the finish line and he did.”

Sarver joked that he and Colangelo, the team’s first general manager in 1968, signed so many papers over the past two days that 100 trees were chopped down.

Colangelo joked it was about 10 times more paperwork than in 1987, when he formed an investment group to buy the team for $44.5 million.

“Back then, it was a mom-and-pop operation, but the company has grown in size in terms of an arena and other teams,” Colangelo said. “It’s a big deal now.”

Sarver’s purchase included the Arizona Rattlers. Kim Coben, a lawyer licensed in Pennsylvania, was unable to close the deal to partner with Sarver and control the Arena Football League team.

Rattlers president Jim Pitman, who worked closely on the Suns and Rattlers transaction, said Sarver will continue to look for other partners with the Rattlers, who are committed to playing the 2005 season.

The Arena League franchise is now worth about $17 million.

Reporter Richard Obert contributed to this article.

The Arizona Republic

The Suns will get a 2nd-round pick, $3 million and a future selection from the Bulls.

By PAUL CORO

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns agreed last night to send their No. 7 pick in today’s NBA draft to Chicago, apparently cutting off Tracy McGrady trade talks with Orlando.

Phoenix will get the No. 31 pick in this year’s draft, a conditional future first-round pick and $3 million from Chicago, according to people familiar with the deal.

Sending the No. 7 pick creates more salary-cap space for the Suns when free agency opens July 1. Phoenix will have about $16.3 million of flexibility.

The 31st pick is the second choice of the second round, where draftees are not guaranteed contracts.

The Suns did not have a second-round pick otherwise because they had traded theirs to acquire Donnell Harvey.

Phoenix will get what should be a high first-round pick unless Chicago makes a huge leap from last season’s 23-59 flop.

The pick is protected for the first two years. For the 2005 draft, the Bulls would keep the pick if it is in the top three of the draft. For the 2006 draft, the Bulls would keep it only if it were the No. 1 selection.

The cash replaces what the Suns paid Charlotte to entice the Bobcats to take Jahidi White’s salary off their hands in Tuesday’s expansion draft.

The trade does not entirely rule out a deal for McGrady, but it makes it unlikely.

The Arizona Republic

The former agent for the Phoenix Suns player says he funneled six-figure sums to the family.

By PAUL CORO

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – Agent John Wolf sued former client Amaré Stoudemire to recoup money Wolf began paying to the Phoenix Suns star when he was an Orlando, Fla., high school senior, according to U.S. District Court documents.

Wolf’s legal complaint claims he paid Stoudemire $105,590.39 before Feb.22, 2002, when the two men signed a player-agent contract that was submitted in court by Stoudemire’s lawyers.

Wolf contends he gave Stoudemire and his mother, Carrie, $206,069.28 in advances between Oct. 1, 2001, and Jan. 3, 2003, two months into his NBA Rookie of the Year season. The money was to cover flights, car rentals, hotels and other personal expenses, the agent said.

Wolf said there was an agreement the payments were loans that would be repaid.

He said he has received $10,000 back from Stoudemire.

Wolf reportedly resigned as Stoudemire’s agent within a month of the final alleged payment but his complaint acknowledges that Stoudemire “discharged” him.

Wolf’s lawsuit originated in October, when Stoudemire received a summons a day after the season opener.

Wolf won a default judgment in February.

Stoudemire’s wages began being garnisheed just before Stoudemire’s lawyers asked for relief from the judgment last month.

A judge is considering whether to uphold the default judgment.

In a rebuttal of Wolf’s complaint, a lawyer for Stoudemire said the 21-year-old, second-year player admits receiving payments but denies they totaled more than $75,000.

Third parties, such as Stoudemire’s club coach, were paid without Stoudemire’s knowledge, the rebuttal states.

“Stoudemire denies that the parties ever had an agreement regarding repayment,” his defense document states.

Stoudemire’s new agent, Bill Duffy, could not be reached for comment yesterday but stated earlier that “this is a subject Amaré doesn’t care to discuss.”

Stoudemire is working out in California and will train with the U.S. Olympic team in late July.

The National Basketball Players Association’s disciplinary committee is investigating Wolf. The association’s regulations prohibit agents from giving “monetary inducements” to players, relatives or any person with ties to the player.

Stoudemire committed as a high school senior to Memphis, which would have been subject to NCAA sanctions had Wolf’s payments come to light and Stoudemire played there.

Stoudemire’s high school for his senior year, Orlando’s Cypress Creek, does not have much to forfeit if the Florida High School Athletic Association deems Stoudemire ineligible. It went 15-14.

The Associated Press

Ex-Clippers’ coach joins Suns’ staff

The Associated Press

Alvin Gentry, a former head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, has joined the Phoenix Suns’ assistant coaching staff.

“I am happy to have him join us and have him be a part of this coaching staff,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He can bring a lot to the staff.”

Gentry was the head coach of the Clippers from 2000 to 2003. He also did two brief head coaching stints for Detroit and Miami.

Most recently, Gentry was an assistant coach with the New Orleans Hornets.

Irish change opener

Notre Dame changed its schedule and will now open the season at BYU on Sept. 4, giving the Fighting Irish a game before they play Michigan.

Notre Dame didn’t want to open its season against Michigan on Sept. 11, especially with the Wolverines having already played a game. Michigan opens the season against Miami of Ohio on Sept. 4.

Six schools, including USC and Stanford, changed schedules to accommodate the change, initiated by ESPN. Notre Dame agreed to play home games this decade against San Diego State and Nevada to accommodate changes made by those two schools.

Texas pitchers back

Texas, the overall No. 1 seed for the NCAA baseball tournament, reinstated pitchers Justin Simmons and J. Brent Cox yesterday, a week after they were arrested on public intoxication charges during the Big 12 tournament.

They will be allowed to play in Friday’s opening-round game against Youngstown State, coach Augie Garrido said in a statement.

Fox new Nevada coach

Mark Fox was hired as Nevada’s basketball coach after working four years as an assistant under Trent Johnson.

Johnson, who led Nevada to a 25-9 season and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16, resigned a week ago to coach Stanford.

Fox, who was Johnson’s choice to succeed him, met with athletic director Cary Groth on Sunday after returning from a vacation.

“The program has been a great source of pride for our community, and it’s my privilege to take the reins,” Fox said at a campus news conference yesterday. “All I ever wanted to do was to coach college basketball.”

Fox has been a Division I assistant for 11 years at Nevada, Kansas State and Washington.

He also was endorsed by former Wolf Pack coaches Sonny Allen, Len Stevens and Pat Foster.

It’s Taurasi again

Diana Taurasi had solid all-around game to lead a balanced offense and the Phoenix Mercury set a franchise record with 11 3-pointers, beating the Houston Comets 73-63 last night.

Penny Taylor, Anna DeForge and Shereka Wright scored 16 points apiece for the Mercury (3-1), who have won three straight.

Taurasi had 13 points, six assists and five rebounds.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

PHOENIX – Suns coach Mike D’Antoni got a two-year contract extension yesterday.

D’Antoni replaced the fired Frank Johnson on Dec. 10 after Phoenix got off to an 8-21 start. The Suns went 21-40 the rest of the way, including beating Utah on the road in their finale – just enough to avoid last place in the Western Conference and tying for the second-worst record in franchise history.

D’Antoni, who had a year left on his contract, is signed through the 2006-07 season.

“They gave me a little vote of confidence,” he said, “and now we’ve just got to keep the ball rolling. Get it rolling might be more like it.”

Citizen Staff
Corky Simpson COLUMN

Kerr will take back seat with Suns for now

Yes, University of Arizona graduate Steve Kerr would be interested in coaching or a front-office job in the NBA.

But, no, not right now.

“That’s something I would relish down the road when my kids are older,” he said on his cell phone yesterday from his home in San Antonio.

“But I’m having a great time being around the kids and coaching their teams. This is a time I will never get back.”

The kids are Nick, 11; Maddy, 9; and Matthew, 6. Not to mention Steve, 38.

Kerr is one of several investors in the Phoenix Suns under new managing partner Robert Sarver, a UA grad who has agreed to buy the pro basketball team for a record $401 million. A Tucson native who lives in San Diego, Sarver is a real estate and banking executive.

Retired San Antonio Spurs’ great Sean Elliott, Kerr’s Arizona teammate from 1986-88, is also listed as one the new partners. So are retired NBA star Charles Barkley and current general manager of the Suns Bryan Colangelo. Jerry Colangelo, Bryan’s father, will stay with the Suns three more years as CEO and chairman.

Kerr, known among his Arizona teammates as “Opie” for the Ron Howard character on the “Andy Griffith Show,” retired from the Spurs last year after a 15-year NBA career. He is now a TV analyst on TNT for NBA games.

Elliott retired from the Spurs in 2001 after 12 outstanding seasons. He is now an NBA analyst with ESPN.

“My role with the Suns for now won’t be a major one,” Kerr said. “I’ll be a consultant for Robert, helping in any way I can. I’m not an employee, though. I’m not on the payroll, and I don’t have an office.”

It could be the start of something big, though.

“We’ll see how it evolves,” Kerr said. “It gives me an in with a great organization, and maybe I can take advantage of it down the road.

“But right now I can help the team by offering some expertise. I see players and teams around the league every week with my TV gig. I’m not working for the Suns, though, just investing in the team and helping Robert.”

At some point, he would gladly be a full-time member of the Suns.

“Definitely,” Kerr said. “That’s the reason I jumped at this opportunity. It positions me well to further my career in that direction. But not now. I’m having too much fun with my kids.”

When he was shooting all those baskets on the driveway of his parents’ southern California home as a boy, all Kerr dreamed of was to play college basketball somewhere. He had no idea his dream would take him so far.

“Not a chance,” he said. “I’ve been very lucky.”

Five NBA championship rings later, “Opie” owns part of an NBA team and the hearts of countless UA fans.

The Arizona Republic

A group led by Robert ‘I don’t know a lot about basketball’ Sarver pays a record price for an NBA franchise.

By CRAIG HARRIS

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – When Robert Sarver was a child, his birthday gifts included tickets to Phoenix Suns basketball games from the team’s owners, who did business with his father.

Yesterday, the Tucson native took a step that will allow him to dole out the tickets.

The San Diego entrepreneur leads a group of investors that will pay $401 million – a record price for an NBA franchise. Sarver’s one-third stake makes him the largest investor and managing partner of the Suns, the city’s oldest big-league franchise.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Sarver, a banker and real estate developer. “I don’t know a lot about basketball, but I’m a competitor.”

Other new owners are former University of Arizona star Steve Kerr, a TNT basketball broadcaster who helped broker the deal, and Bryan Colangelo, the Suns’ president and general manager.

Sarver, 42, graduated from UA and is a longtime friend of UA basketball coach Lute Olson. Sarver said he would bring in about 10 more investors, including former UA Wildcat Sean Elliott and former Suns star Charles Barkley, to provide financial muscle.

PHOTO CAPTION: The Associated Press

New Suns owner Robert Sarver (left) with team CEO Jerry Colangelo

The Associated Press

New managers, more money, lottery pick add to lowly team’s confidence.

The Associated Press

PHOENIX – Bryan Colangelo will not only run the Phoenix Suns’ basketball operations, but he’s about to own a share of the team, too.

Now comes the challenge of making the right moves to transform a team that had the second-worst record in the NBA’s Western Conference into a winner.

The tools are there. The Suns have money after slashing salaries by trading Stephon Marbury, Penny Hardaway and Tom Gugliotta. New managing partner Robert Sarver, a Tucson native, said he is ready to put more money into the basketball operations.

And the Suns are assured a lottery pick in this year’s draft.

“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we’re very much poised to make a big impact here in a very short amount of time,” Colangelo said yesterday at a news conference to announce the ownership change.

Sarver is the second Tucson native in less than a year to take over a major sports franchise. Arte Moreno bought baseball’s Anaheim Angels last year.

Sarver is joined by a new voice in the Suns’ basketball operations, ex-Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr, who was part of five NBA championship teams in 15 years in the league.

Kerr’s familiarity with the league opened the doors for Sarver to put together the new ownership group. Kerr, a Turner Sports TV analyst, also will own a share of the team. He and Colangelo will work together to make personnel decisions.

Kerr quashed any notion that he has eyes on Colangelo’s job.

“This is his show,” Kerr said. “My role is part of the managing committee, a confidante and part of the general consensus that Bryan will build when we get to draft day and free-agent signing periods.”

Sarver acknowledges his expertise is in banking and real estate and that he will leave basketball decisions up to others.

“One of the real benefits of Steve is, he’s exposed to great franchises,” Sarver said. “He’s played for a long time, and I think he’s going to be a real benefit at bringing forth ideas that can help this franchise, and also understanding players. Who we should put on the team and who we shouldn’t bring on the team.”

Former NBA stars Charles Barkley and Sean Elliott, another former UA star, also will be part-owners, Sarver said. It’s hard to imagine Barkley being a silent partner.

“Charles is pretty low-key,” Sarver joked. “If you ask him enough, you may get a comment from him.”

The Suns are well under the salary cap for next season and could cut payroll even further, depending on which players go to the expansion Charlotte team. That could clear the way to go after Kobe Bryant, as has been rumored, or to sign two or three lesser-paid free agents.

The Arizona Republic

A deal in excess of $330 million should be finished some time next week.

By CRAIG HARRIS

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns, put on the market just one month ago, are expected to be sold next week, according to current team investors.

Two Phoenix television stations, KSAZ and KNXV, reported that former NBA and University of Arizona player Steve Kerr would be a part of the new ownership group. Kerr was drafted by the Suns in the second round in 1988 and appeared in 26 games for them. He was traded to Cleveland prior to the 1989-90 season.

Kerr, who works as an analyst for Turner Sports, did not return messages left at his home and on his cell phone last night.

Jerry Colangelo still would operate the team, according to those familiar with the negotiations. Colangelo, the team’s chairman who owns 18 percent of the NBA franchise, said an investor meeting is scheduled April 23.

“I will be presenting a state of the union and discuss some options with them. Above and beyond that, that is all I have,” Colangelo said yesterday. “I don’t want to go any further.”

However, one investor who is close to Colangelo said he expects the investors to approve the deal, which is in excess of $300 million.

When Colangelo announced the sale last month, he said he wanted to take on an equity partner who would take complete control of the Suns in five to eight years.

“This is a very, very attractive offer,” said Dale Jensen, a Phoenix-area resident and Suns’ investor. “But you are not going to see a lot of wholesale changes right off the bat.”

Jensen, a multimillionaire who also is the largest single investor in Colangelo’s Arizona Diamondbacks, said he might join the new Suns investment group.

Citizen Wire Services

Citizen Wire Services

SALT LAKE CITY – The Phoenix Suns followed one of their most disappointing losses of the season with a big road victory to take into the summer.

The Suns beat Utah 89-84 last night, ending a losing season on a positive note.

“Last year we had the playoffs and we had a good year. This year that didn’t happen,” said Shawn Marion, who had 19 points for the Suns. “But it’s nice to win that last game and get a little closure.”

Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 29 points and nine rebounds and carried Phoenix on a rally after losing a 16-point lead in the second half.

Phoenix was 44-38 last year, but struggled this season to 29-53. That barely avoided tying the 1987-88 team’s 28-54 finish for second worst in Suns history. The Clippers lost their finale to Seattle and finished last.

Other games

Warriors 97, Kings 91: In Oakland, Calif., Sacramento blew its chance to win the Pacific Division title when Jason Richardson scored 28. The Kings lost eight of their last 12.

Heat 96, Nets 84: In Miami, Caron Butler had 22 points and Dwyane Wade sparked a third-quarter surge to help Miami finish with its first winning record in three years. It earned home-court advantage in the first round.

Raptors 89, Bucks 87: In Milwaukee, Jalen Rose’s wide open three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left won it for Toronto, as the Bucks squandered home-court advantage in the playoffs. Miami and New Orleans leapfrogged them in the East.

Timberwolves 107, Grizzlies 90: In Memphis, Kevin Garnett had 26 points as Minnesota wrapped up the West’s top seed.

Mavericks 92, Rockets 89: In Houston, Marquis Daniels got 21 points and Antawn Jamison had 18 points for Dallas.

Spurs 93, Nuggets 67: In San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Spurs, who rallied in the second half for their 11th straight win.

Pacers 101, Bulls 96: In Indianapolis, Jonathan Bender and Austin Croshere fueled an 11-2 fourth-quarter run to propel the Pacers, who finished with the league’s best record (61-21).

• Elsewhere, it was Seattle 118, Los Angeles Clippers 87; Cleveland 100, New York Knicks 90; Orlando 95, Philadelphia 89; Charlotte 94, Washington 78; and Boston 137, Atlanta 132. Boxes, 6C