Enquirer news services

The Phoenix Suns could've had three first-round picks in last week's NBA draft, including the seventh overall selection. They didn't want any of them.

Instead of building for the future with young players who command guaranteed, three-year contracts, the Suns traded the picks for the financial flexibility to sign veterans who can help them right away.

Because contracts for first-round picks count against the salary cap that sets a spending limit for each team, many clubs would rather get a proven player than wait for a teenager or international player to develop.

Phoenix, Utah, Denver, Atlanta and Charlotte might be the only teams with enough salary-cap room to land a marquee free agent such as the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant or New Jersey's Kenyon Martin when the signing period begins July 14. Teams over the salary cap can obtain top free agents only through trades, which is more difficult than signing them outright.

Clubs can start negotiating with free agents today, though contracts can't be signed until the NBA determines the salary cap. General managers said next season's spending limit will be about $46 million.

The Suns and other clubs will need to clear as much salary-cap space as possible to sign top free agents, a group that also includes Steve Nash of the Dallas Mavericks and Rasheed Wallace of the Detroit Pistons.

Other available free agents are Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, Erick Dampier of the Golden State Warriors, Stromile Swift of the Memphis Grizzlies, Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings and the Lakers' Derek Fisher.

"It's a good free agent class," Hawks GM Billy Knight said. "Maybe it isn't as deep as some years, but there are some really good players."

The Spurs want to keep Ginobili and the Pistons would like to retain Wallace, though re-signing them would eliminate much of their salary-cap space.

The most sought-after free agent this summer is Bryant, who is eligible for a seven-year, $140 million contract from the Lakers. Under the NBA's strict salary rules, which encourage top players to stay put, other teams can offer Bryant only a six-year deal worth less money.