Phoenix Suns gave free agency look at DeMarre Carroll

TORONTO – Tyson Chandler and LaMarcus Aldridge were not the only major irons the Suns had in the free agency fire in July.

While the Suns landed Chandler swiftly, they were close to securing DeMarre Carroll soon after that until Aldridge became a possibility for a four-day chase that ended in Aldridge choosing San Antonio over Phoenix.

Carroll was interested in the Suns, particularly because of Suns coach Jeff Hornacek and assistant coach Earl Watson, but had Toronto showing a stronger interest and commitment. Carroll agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract with the Raptors on the first day of free agency talks while the Suns could not make the same commitment with Aldridge showing interest in them.

“They (the Suns) were going to come visit me,” Carroll said Sunday. “It was going to be my third or fourth visit and they were going to come to my house but I ended up signing with Toronto.

“LaMarcus had everybody held up. But I felt like Toronto was making me a priority and was a team that really wanted me. There were only a couple of those teams, outside of LaMarcus. Toronto was one of those teams. They chose me over LaMarcus so it made me feel wanted.”

Carroll played with Watson for a season and a half in Utah, who signed him after he had been waived by Denver in 2011. Hornacek was a Jazz assistant coach during Carroll’s time with Utah, where his growth took off to set up his standout play for Atlanta.

“He (Hornacek) helped me with my shot a lot,” said Carroll, who made 39.5 percent of his 3-pointers last season for Atlanta. “He’s been big for me. Earl Watson is like my big brother.”

Carroll, 29, averaged 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals but is known for his defense and raising his level of play in the postseason, where he averaged 17 points.

“It probably would’ve been the same thing with Phoenix that I’m doing now, playing the three and the four,” Carroll said of both forward spots. “It’s one of those things that didn’t work out. They got who they wanted with Tyson. Maybe next go-around.”

Chandler injury

Chandler’s return from a right hamstring strain is undetermined, especially because Chandler has never experienced this injury in 15 seasons.

“I’m just glad it’s not as bad as I thought it was,” Chandler said. “Initially, I thought it popped.”

It occurred in the first quarter of Friday’s loss to Golden State on a defensive play. He said he could not even raise his leg once he got to the training room Friday night.

“Every step, it bites,” Chandler said.

Alex Len started in Chandler’s place on Sunday night and had eight points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes.

High Cotton

Suns guard Bryce Cotton is on the roster of his home state NBA team, just as the likes of Channing Frye, Gerald Brown and Bernard Thompson got to do before him.

“It’s definitely a great feeling,” Cotton said. “It’s one of those things I never pictured happening but it’s a joy. I’m excited to be close to home. It’s the closest I’ve been to home since high school (at Tucson Palo Verde). I’m just trying to make the most of it and enjoy my time here.”

Cotton has been on the inactive list for his first three games with the Suns because he was a “safety measure,” as Hornacek called it, for recent injuries to Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight.

“You’ve got to crawl before you can walk,” Cotton said. “I’m here to do whatever I can to help the team, be a great teammate and be professional.”

Free throws

* Hornacek on the retirement announcement by Lakers great Kobe Bryant, who Hornacek played against for three seasons: “At some point, you just realize it’s time. Kobe, I think he’s had some injuries lately. He’s worked his tail off to get back in there to play. Obviously, it’s a great career and he’s one of the all-time greats.”

* Toronto coach Dwane Casey on the Suns: “That’s a good team. They are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league but that’s no excuse for giving the shots we gave up and losing our guys in transition in the first half.”

Reach Paul Coro at paul.coro@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-2470. Follow him at twitter.com/paulcoro