Trade rumors swirl around Stoudemire after draft

PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns went for defensive help, eventually anyway, by drafting Earl Clark of Louisville with the 14th selection overall in the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward worked out for the Suns on Saturday. He averaged 14.2 points as a junior last season. General manager Steve Kerr said he was impressed by Clark's ability to defend both inside and on the perimeter.

"That was probably the most appealing thing about Earl for us," Kerr said. "He moves his feet really well. What we kept noticing in the tape and when we watched him live was his activity defensively."

The selection came amid a swirl of rumors involving a trade of all-star Amare Stoudemire, who would reportedly be dealt for Golden State's pick at No. 7 overall, Davidson sharpshooter Stephen Curry, who would likely come to Phoenix as part of a deal involving Stoudemire.

"It's absolutely false," Kerr said when asked about the report when the Suns work was done for the night Thursday. "There's nothing to report. I've mentioned earlier we've talked about a lot of deals out there and we'll continue to talk about possible deals in the coming days and maybe even weeks, but right now there's no deal with anybody."

Kerr called it "a crazy day."

"A million phone calls and a lot of chatter, a lot of rumors, a lot of speculation," he said, "but in the end we're pleased with our choices and we're excited about moving forward and moving ahead and looking at all of our options and putting a really good team on the floor."

Forward Taylor Griffin of Oklahoma, older brother of No. 1 pick Blake Griffin, was the 48th selection overall. Griffin averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season.

The Suns had the 57th selection, and picked 6-9 forward Emir Preldzic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, then traded him to Cleveland for cash.

Coach Alvin Gentry said that Clark reminds him of Cliff Robinson, except without the shooting touch yet.

"He needs to improve his shooting range a little bit," Gentry said, "He can make plays, though, and the way we play obviously we like for our big guys to be versatile enough to make plays."

Don't expect Clark to come in and play right away, though.

"I've said all along 14 is not going to come in and be in our rotation," Kerr said. "He's not beating out Jared Dudley or Lou Amundson. If he is, he's going to be really good because those guys came in and make a major impact for us last year."

Instead, the Suns can bring Clark along slowly.

"What I like is that we can bring him up the right way," Kerr said. "We can bring him in and make him earn every minute. We don't have to have him play. But he's a guy who gives us depth and versatility."

Clark said that's fine with him.

"I'm just coming in and playing hard," he said. "I'm just coming in with a good head on my shoulders trying to work hard. That's it."

Clark said he had about 25 friends and family members at his home in New Jersey to watch the draft. They mobbed him when he was picked, he said.

"I'm just excited about playing with Steve Nash," he said, "playing in the NBA, putting my game up against other talent."

Clark canceled his first scheduled workout with the Suns because his girlfriend gave birth to their daughter.

"It's a great feeling. It's a feeling you cant put in words," he said of fatherhood. "She's just such a big addition to my life. I love her. It's the greatest feeling in the world."

He was not happy, though, to learn that the No. 5 he wore at Louisville is not available in Phoenix. As the number of original Sun Dick Van Arsdale, it's been retired.

"Are you serious?" he said. "I didn't know that."

SUNS' DRAFT PICKS

First round (No. 14 overall)

WHO: Earl Clark

SCHOOL: Louisville

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-foot-9, 225 pounds

Second round (No. 48 overall)

WHO: Taylor Griffin

SCHOOL: Oklahoma

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-8, 235