PHOENIX, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Forward Shawn Marion, a cornerstone of the rebuilding plan of the Phoenix Suns, agreed to a six-year contract extension Thursday that will pay him nearly $80 million.
The team's web site confirmed earlier reports that Marion will sign an extension that begins next season and runs through the 2008-09 campaign.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, Marion can receive 25 percent of the team's salary cap of $40.271 million, with annual increases of 12.5 percent. Marion will receive just over $10 million in the first year of the extension, with the yearly increases bringing the total of the deal to about $79 million.
The 6-7 Marion averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.84 steals in 81 games last season, his third in the NBA. He ranked ninth in the league in rebounding and 12th in steals.
Known for his quickness and jumping ability, Marion has developed other assets of his game, including a mid-range jumper.
Last season, the Suns missed the playoffs for the first time since 1988. They are trying to rebuild around Marion, star point guard Stephon Marbury, second-year guard Joe Johnson and first-round picks Casey Jacobsen and Amare Stoudemire.
The ninth overall pick in the 1999 draft, Marion has averaged 16.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.51 steals in 211 games. He also has averaged better than one block per game in his career.
