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Fortson Files Lawsuit Against Vecsey, ColangeloThe Seattle Post-Intelligencer, through a report published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, is reporting that Sonic Danny Fortson has filed a defamation lawsuit against Phoenix Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo, the New York Post and its columnist Peter Vecsey. The suit is related to comments made by Colangelo last season towards Fortson, labelling the strong forward a "thug," as well as saying "I want him out of here." Colangelo's characterization was televised and published in many newspapers as well as the statement. The comments stemmed from a hard foul then-Maverick Fortson had committed against then-Sun Zarko Cabarkapa, leaving the rookie with a broken wrist. Fortson was ejected and suspended for three games over the incident. Vecsey is included for a Nov. 30 column he wrote in which he criticized the league's response to Fortson's foul. He called Fortson a "vacant lot," said he engaged in "attempted murder" and called him a "gangsta or a wanksta." According to the Sun-Sentinel, Fortson seeks damages of more than $15,000 as well as the expense involved in the suit and "other relief the court may deem appropriate." Via Seattle Post-Intelligencer Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Suns Release EisleyDespite having two years and $14.5 million remaining on his contract the Phoenix Suns severed ties with Howard Eisley Friday, releasing the guard who has been unhappy about his role on the team. The East Valley Tribune reports that Eisley got somewhat less than the $14.5 million he was guaranteed, $13 million over the next two seasons, then a partial guarantee of $1.5 million for a third season, a Suns' official indicated. Eisley termed the Suns' backcourt "crowded" before sitting out Thursday's exhibition game vs. the Los Angeles Clippers. Coach Mike D'Antoni said Eisley had "flu-like symptoms" though he said so with a wink and a nod. The Utah Jazz, a team Eisley has played for in the past, are believed to be interested in signing the point guard. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Johnson and Jacobson Denied Extensions by PhoenixDecisions that would guarantee extending the Suns careers of Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen must be wrapped up by Sunday. But the Suns almost certainly will pass on the opportunity. "It's unlikely" the Suns will negotiate a long-term contract extension for Johnson or pick up the fourth-year option on Jacobsen, Suns president Bryan Colangelo confirmed Wednesday. Both likely will become restricted free agents, meaning the Suns can match any offer for them next summer. Said Colangelo, "Decisions to not sign them now do not preclude us from signing them in the future." These apparent decisions mean they could lose Johnson, in particular, if another team with salary-cap space makes a monstrous offer, such as the $68 million deal given to Carlos Boozer, who jumped from Cleveland to Utah this past summer. The Suns, as previously announced, picked up the fourth-year option on star forward Amare Stoudemire Wednesday, meaning he'll be under contract through the 2005-06 season. They'll hope to negotiate a long-term deal with him next year. But they did not do the same on Jacobsen, who — along with Stoudemire— was drafted in Round 1 of the 2002 NBA draft. Both are paid relatively modestly under terms of the NBA's rookie scale for the first four years. The fourth-year option for Jacobsen for the ’05-06 season would have cost the Suns about $1.8 million. The guard from Stanford had a disappointing rookie season, then bounced back to have a solid second year. Jacobsen, after an exhibition game Tuesday night, said he understood that incoming owner Robert Sarver wanted to maintain budget flexibility and that, "If it hasn't happened by now, I'm assuming it's not going to happen." He was correct, as it turned out. "It's not a reflection of what we think of Casey as a person and as a player," Colangelo said. "It's a function of maintaining flexibility." Johnson's situation is more complicated than Jacobsen's. The Suns could have given him a big contract that extends over six seasons, starting in '05-06. Instead, he now likely will await offers next summer. With the Suns adding firepower for this season, Johnson's statistics could decrease, perhaps cutting the price Johnson could command. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Suns Oct 2004 Archive
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