Langston Galloway wanted to join a playoff contender, which is one of the big reasons he chose the Suns in free agency, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “The reason why I picked Phoenix, it’s a young, up-and-coming team that’s really on the move and can really help me going forward,” he said. “I really want to experience the playoffs and try to win a championship and I think this is the right organization to be with.” Galloway, who averaged 10.3 PPG with the Pistons last season, signed a veteran’s minimum contract.
Detroit coach Dwane Casey was sad to see Galloway depart. “Langston is a leader, he sets the tone in practice, he’s a shooter and he’s a competitor,” he added. “He’s a quiet competitor.”
We have more on the Suns:
- Phoenix gave restricted free agent Jevon Carter a three-year, $11.5 million deal to stay put and that made him feel like a valued member of the team, as he described to Rankin in a separate story. “I felt like I was wanted here,” he said. “Even when I went through those stretches when I wasn’t playing, it never felt like they didn’t want me here.” A 6-1 guard, Carter appeared in 58 games last season, averaging 4.9 PPG in 16.3 MPG.
- Forward Dario Saric, another restricted free agent retained by the Suns, admitted to Rankin (Twitter link) that he was filled with uncertainty when free agency began. “I was like waking up saying, ‘Did anybody text me? Did my agent have anything to say to me?’ It was a couple of nervous days for me,” he said. “Everything ended up the right way for me.” Saric signed a three-year, $27 million contract.
- Head coach Monty Williams wouldn’t elaborate on Jae Crowder‘s status during the first day of full practice Monday, Rankin reports. “I can’t comment on Jae’s situation,” Williams said. “I’m just going to leave it at that.” Crowder was a big “get” for Phoenix in free agency, as he left the Heat and signed a three-year, $30 million contract.
- ICYMI, B.J. Johnson was expected to join the Suns in training camp but he instead signed with the Heat.
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