D’Antoni doesn’t think Marion will be traded

For the first time in three years, there appears to be more-than-casual trade talk involving Shawn Marion. That said, Marion appears likely to stay. The same cannot be said about Kurt Thomas, who appears to be the focus of the Suns’ attempt to shave payroll.

“I don’t think Shawn is going anywhere,” coach Mike D’Antoni said.

“I hope he doesn’t; there’s no desire on our part. But the names that are floated are the guys who are good. Everybody calls about Shawn because he’s great.

“Realistically, I don’t think so.

“I think we’ll try to keep the team together and compete one more time for the NBA championship.

“Without Shawn, that’s hard to do.”

D’Antoni seemed to agree with the idea that trading Marion, particularly for a draft pick, would send a message the Suns are “giving up” their title hopes.

“Unless that guy is an All-Star immediately … there’s definitely a hole there,” D’Antoni replied.

D’Antoni didn’t reply to questions about Thomas, who is slated to make about $8 million in the final year of his deal.

The Suns could end up $9 million or so over the luxury-tax threshold if they don’t make a deal.

D’Antoni, asked if the Suns would be forced to trade Marion if they can’t deal Thomas because they are under a directive to lower their payroll, replied, “That’s not true.

“We want to get the payroll down some but we’re not going to jeopardize our chances to win the championship.”

The Suns also have been trying to deal backup guard Marcus Banks since February’s trade deadline.

But a deal is unlikely, league sources said, unless the Suns are willing to give up multiple first-round draft picks. Banks is owed about $17.2 million over the next four seasons.

A BETTER BORIS?

Boris Diaw, who had a disappointing season, “realizes he has to pick it up a notch,” D’Antoni said.

The player and coach recently had an extended talk, and Diaw vowed to work hard in the offseason and be ready to go at training camp.

Diaw’s conditioning at the start of last training camp wasn’t the best, then he suffered a back problem.

“We need to use him better, too. It’s a little bit him, a little bit us.”

GUARDS AUDITION

The Suns took a look at candidates for their draft slots at Nos. 24 and 29 on Tuesday.

Among those working out were former Oregon star Aaron Brooks, who said, “I think I showed great speed and that I can shoot the ball.”

The Suns’ racehorse approach is a “great system for me,” Brooks said. “It would be a great fit.”

The 6-foot, 160-pound guard — who averaged 17.7 points and 4.3 assists — is enthused that small ball is in vogue in the league.

“I think it’s good the NBA has kind of shifted to a smaller man’s game. It becomes a quicker game. That kind of suits the way I play.

“It’s good for small guards.”

Other players working out were Bobby Brown, a 6-1 guard from Cal State Fullerton; Russell Carter, a 6-4 guard from Notre Dame; and Dustin Salisbery, a 6-5 guard from Temple.

Brown averaged 20.2 points and 5.1 assists for Fullerton as a senior.

“I’ve played for four years so I think I’m more seasoned than other players entering the draft,” he said.