Mens Basketball

For Suns, changing of guards a big shift

PHOENIX - Steve Nash returned to the Suns on Wednesday after agreeing to backload his $65 million, five-year contract, which would allow the team to further strengthen its backcourt. Before a news conference to announce the signing of Nash, the Suns also signed shooting guard Quentin Richardson, a restricted free agent after four years with the Los Angeles Clippers, to an offer sheet. The Clippers have 15 days to match the Suns' $45 million, six-year offer. Nash still will average $13 million, but accepted less up front after the Suns had problems with the $43.8 million salary cap - about $2 million below projections. Nash, a two-time All-Star point guard, was drafted No. 15 in the first round by the Suns in 1996. In 1998, he was traded to Dallas. If the Suns remain undersized, they still might have two of the best shooters around. Nash has averaged more than 40 percent from three-point range in seven of his eight seasons, and Richardson had 30 or more points in seven games last season, including a career-high 44-point effort on Dec. 31, becoming the first Clippers player in a decade with a 40-point game. The 30-year-old Nash has averaged 12.5 points and 6.1 assists in his career, but 16.5 points and 7.8 assists over the last four seasons. He ranks third and first among active players in free-throw percentage (.893) and third among active players in three-point percentage (.416).