FRA - Diaw reportedly signs lucrative extension

PHOENIX (NBA) - France`s `Mr Versatility`, Boris Diaw, reportedly agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

XTRA 910 Sports Radio was among several broadcast outlets reporting the national team star and the Suns had reached an agreement. The extension is believed to be worth about $8million per season.

Suns coach and general manager Mike D'Antoni refused to confirm the report. However, the team has scheduled a news conference for Friday afternoon.

Diaw is scheduled to make $1.795 million this season. Had he not been given an extension by October 31, he would have become a restricted free agent next summer, with the Suns holding the right to match any offer he received from another team.

After two sluggish seasons in Atlanta, the 6ft 8in Diaw was acquired in the deal that sent Joe Johnson to the Hawks. Ironically, the Suns dealt Johnson because they could not reach an accord on a long-term deal.

Diaw flourished in Phoenix's up-tempo attack. Playing primarily as an undersized center, he created matchup problems and served as a facilitator in the offense.

Diaw averaged 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting nearly 53% from the field. In the post-season, he averaged 18.7 points in 20 games.

As a consequence, he won the NBA's Most Improved Player award for 2005-06.

At EuroBasket 2005, Diaw performances led France to the bronze medal and he made the all-tournament team.

He was one of his country`s best players at the FIBA World Championship in Japan (pictured) this summer.

By PA Sport