Suns' Marion: 'It's time for me to move on'
Star forward says he wants to be traded after eight years with team
 Jeff Haynes / AFP | 'It's like a bad marriage. It doesn't matter who's right or wrong, both people should just move on,' Shawn Marion said Tuesday. |
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PHOENIX - Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion, the team’s highest-paid player and a four-time All-Star, says he wants to be traded after eight years with the club.
Marion said he decided to ask to leave because the team considered trading him over the summer and won’t talk about a contract extension.
Marion told The Arizona Republic late Tuesday that he had informed the team of his desires and has struggled with the decision
“I’m tired of hearing my name in trades,” Marion said by phone from his Chicago home. “I love my fans in Phoenix, but I think it’s time for me to move on.”
Marion has two years left on his contract, which will net him $16.4 million for this season and $17.8 million in 2008-2009.
Suns general manager Steve Kerr declined to comment.
Marion said the Suns’ decision not to enter contract-extension talks is only part of the reason he wants to leave. He also said the team’s consideration of a three-way trade that would have sent him to the Boston Celtics in a deal landing the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Garnett in Phoenix was a factor. Garnett has since been traded to the Celtics.
“I feel they tried to force my hand to Boston with the Garnett stuff,” the 29-year-old said.
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“I haven’t done anything wrong. I leave it on the floor night in and night out,” Marion said. “Sometimes it’s just time to move on.”
Marion said he would report as required for training camp Monday if he is still with the team. Besides Boris Diaw, who is expected to report Wednesday, the rest of the team is already in Phoenix for voluntary workouts.
“I’ll do what I’ve got to do,” he said. “I’m a professional. I’m not bitter. I love the fans, but I’ve got to take care of me.”
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