Suns notebook: White trade likely to be completed today

The NBA expansion draft, where the Suns are expected to make the long-awaited trade that will dump the contract of Jahidi White to the Charlotte Bobcats, is set for 4 p.m. today.

The Suns are believed to have left White and guard Howard Eisley unprotected in the draft. The deal involving White is believed to involve at least one first-round pick and $3 million in cash going to Charlotte to induce the Bobcats to pick up the one year and $5.9 million left on White's contract.

White's agent, David Bauman, told the Gaston (N.C.) Gazette, "We feel great. If it goes through, it's a great chance for Jahidi to get a brand new start.. . .

"He's happy about the opportunity to play in Charlotte, if that should arise." The move would put the Suns about $14 million under the salary cap, allowing them to go after such stars as Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.

BIG MAN, SMALL MAN

The Suns need a point guard and, as always, a center. So it made sense to look at both types of players on Monday, three days before the NBA draft.

The main focus of attention was Devin Harris, a 6-foot-3 point guard from Wisconsin. If the Suns keep their No. 7 pick, Harris is a possibility, along with point guard Shaun Livingston. This workout was Harris' second for the Suns.

Another point guard, Ben Gordon, was supposed to be on hand Monday but canceled. Gordon is thought to be a strong candidate to go No. 4 to the Los Angeles Clippers, or be involved in a trade.

In describing himself, Harris, who averaged 19.5 points as a junior this past season, said: "I'm more of a point guard who can score."

Said Dick Van Arsdale, the Suns vice president in charge of player personnel, "We like Harris. He's going to be a good point guard in the league."

The Suns also looked at Pavel Podkolzine, a 7-5, 260-pound center from Russia. He pulled out of the draft last year because of a problem with his pituitary gland, but the big center hinted Monday he also viewed last year's draft as having stiffer competition.

Asked where he thinks he'll go in the draft, Podkolzine said, "All things are possible," and that the Suns have a "great organization."

At 19 years of age, the center, who averaged just 2.6 points for his Italian team last year, would appear to be a backup center who is several years away from making an impact. He might be a possibility for the Suns if they trade down in the draft.

"He's going to need time to develop," Van Arsdale said.

BONUS SHOT

The Orlando Magic reportedly would want Amare Stoudemire in any trade for Tracy McGrady, a deal the Suns are unlikely to do.

Much of the speculation on McGrady has centered on a possible trade to Houston for Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley.