Banks Signs a 5 year deal with the Suns Options

[Chisoxfn]

It appears that Marcus Banks wants to play closer to home.

The speedy guard has agreed to terms with the Phoenix Suns on a five-year contract worth $21 million, The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday.

A Las Vegas native, Banks likely would provide point guard relief for NBA MVP Steve Nash, the driving force of the Suns' relentless up-tempo attack.

Banks, 24, spent his first 2½ seasons with the Boston Celtics before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves last January as part of a seven-player deal. He started 28 of 40 games with the Timberwolves and averaged 12 points on 48 percent shooting and 4.7 assists.

The 13th overall pick in 2003 out of UNLV, Banks averaged just 5.3 points in 180 games with the Celtics.

The 6-2 Banks would be the second free agent addition for the Suns, joining swingman Eric Piatkowski. Phoenix lost forward Tim Thomas, who signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Suns got the guy they wanted, but 5 years seems like a long time. Either way I'm sure it means Pargo is going to have to find another home. Plus 4 million a year for a backup point guard, this seems a bit steep considering who there starting point guard is.

That said Banks is young and should continue to improve. I happen to think a defensive minded PG like Duhon would be a nicer pickup but I guess they want to make sure that no matter whose running the offense that they are capable of running D'Antoni's high tempo system.

[dasox24]

Hmm, that's a lot of money for a guy with career numbers like that. I guess they see potential in him to improve, although he is 25, I think, so I don't know how much more he'll grow as a player. Also, like Jason, pointed out, with a starting PG like Nash, who plays almost the entire game, why spend that much on a backup?

[madisonsmadhouse]

Wow. 5 years? This isn't the NFL where you can just release someone from a bad deal.