The Suns have traded 25-year old small forward Alando Tucker, a future conditional 2nd round pick and cash to the Timberwolves for 31-year old Jason Hart. Tucker played in 11 games (0 starts) for the Suns this season and he averaged 6.5 minutes, 3.9 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. He played in 47 games (1 start) in his three years with the Suns and he averaged 8.5 minutes, 4.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.3 assists per game. Hart only played in 1 game (0 starts) for the T-Wolves this season and he played 5 minutes without scoring while stealing the ball one time and dishing out 1 assist. Hart has played in 337 games (56 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.6 minutes, 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The Suns then cut Hart so they really wanted to rid themselves of Tucker.

The Suns have claimed 30-year old center Jarron Collins off waivers from the Portland Trailblazers. Collins played in 26 games (3 starts) for the Jazz last season and he averaged 7.7 minutes, 1.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. He has now played in 480 games (206 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 16.9 minutes, 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. This was a good move for the Suns who desperately needed a back up center with Robin Lopez injured. Look for Collins to provide defense and rebounding behind Channing Frye until Lopez is ready to return.

31-year old guard Dan Dickau will be in training camp trying to make the Suns’ roster. He last played in the NBA during the 2007-08 season with the Clippers. He has played in 300 games (57 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.4 minutes, 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He might have a decent shot of making the Suns who don’t have a lot of depth.

The Suns have bought out Sasha Pavlovic’s contract for the upcoming NBA season saving the team around $500,000 bucks. This means that the Suns netted a 2nd round pick in next year’s NBA Draft for Shaquille O’Neal. Nice job Steve Kerr (Suns’ GM)!

The Suns are all about cutting payroll right now. That’s what led to the trade of Shaquille O’Neal and the departure of Matt Barnes as a free agent. The Suns also quickly bought out Ben Wallace’s contract after he came over from the Cavs in the Shaq trade. The Suns did re-sign Grant Hill and Louis Amundson which were both good moves for the team. SG/SF Sasha Pavlovic came over from Cleveland in the Shaq trade and he could surprise some people as he’s never got enough playing time to truly show what he can do and the Suns might give him that court time. Channing Frye was signed as a free agent and he could help the bench some. The Suns drafted power forward Earl Clark in the first round and he should get significant playing time this season if he proves he can handle it. Forward Taylor Griffin (Blake’s brother) was the other Suns’ selection in the NBA Draft and he will be lucky to even make the team.

OFF-SEASON GRADE FOR THE FRONT OFFICE SO FAR: D-