AP source: Suns, Ariza agree to 1-year, $ 15 million contract



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PHOENIX (AP) Trevor Ariza has agreed to a one-year, $ 15 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, a person with knowledge of the situation said Sunday.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity

The 33-year-old Ariza has a reputation for winning and veteran leadership that the general manager Ryan McDonough said the team needed around its young core features Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and No. 1 overall draft pick Deandre Ayton

It's a nice raise for the 14-year NBA veteran, who earned $ 7.4 million last season, his fourth with Houston.

Ariza averaged 11.7 points last season for a Rockets team That compiled the best record in the NBA at 65-17 before losing to Golden State in a seven-game Western Conference finals. Phoenix had the league's worst record at 21-61 and has missed the playoffs eight years in a row.

Ariza has averaged 10.5 points per game, shooting 42 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range, in a career New York Knicks, Orlando, LA Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans and Washington, DC, USA.

The move gives the best of the team's available salary cap space. However, more space could be created with personal moves.

Brandon Knight, returning from knee surgery, and French rookie Elie Okobo, the first player drafted this year in the second round.

The Suns also announced their Las Vegas Summer League roster. Ayton and fellow first-round pick Mikal Bridges are on it, as is Jackson. Dragan Bender is on the list but no Marquese Chriss

Ayton threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Sunday's game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants.

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