Phoenix Will Not Pick Up Option On Dijon Thompson

By Bruin Basketball Report

According to a local Phoenix paper, the Suns have decided not to pick up the second-year option on former UCLA Bruin, Dijon Thompson.

Thompson had a tumultuous season as a first-year professional basketball player.

Initially taken by the New York Knicks as the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft, Thompson was immediately dealt to the Phoenix Suns for Nate Robinson to complete a prior deal in which the Suns had sent Quentin Richardson to the Knicks for Kurt Thomas.

Thompson played well for the Suns in the Summer Pro League and was signed by Phoenix to the NBA minimum salary of $398,762 per year with a second-year team option.

Just prior to the start of the regular season, Phoenix decided to send Thompson down to their NBDL team, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, to refine his game.

The UCLA graduate averaged 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.33 steals in three games with the NBDL club before being recalled to the Suns after Leandro Barbosa suffered a knee injury.

Thompson remained with the Suns and averaged 2.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 4.3 minutes per game.

But in early March, Thompson suffered a right knee injury and was placed on the DL. The injury required microfracture surgery and he was expected to miss up to six months.

It's unfortunate Thompson did not have the entire season to showcase his talents for the Suns, and even more regrettable, he was cut from the team while recuperating from his injury.

Yet it is the cold reality of the NBA, where business most always comes first.

(BruinBasketballReport.com)