"If Mickael Pietrus' comments in a French newspaper mean that he would like to leave the Suns, they probably would be happy to say au revoir to him and his $5.3 million salary.

According to a hoopshype.com translation of an interview Pietrus did with L'Equipe, Pietrus said, "A lot of teams are interested in me, like the Lakers or the Celtics. This came from the best player in the world: Kobe Bryant. He told me two months ago that he would like to see me with the Lakers."

Two months ago, Pietrus was supposedly undecided on whether he would exercise the $5.3 player option in his contract for 2011-12 or become a free agent. It was a no-brainer choice but he did not commit to it until June 13.

Pietrus also told L'Equipe, "Phoenix didn't use me but that's their problem. I'm going to continue working. The only thing I care about is winning a title."

That is up for interpretation. After the December trade, the Suns used Pietrus extensively in the beginning before sending him in and out of the rotation in January. Then he played in 26 consecutive games, although his role and time sharply decreased in the games before he suffered his quadriceps-tendon strain when landing on a blocked shot attempt.

Pietrus was not expected to be out long but wound up not returning for the remainder of the season. The Suns left him in Phoenix to rehabilitate during a five-game trip in April. When they returned, Pietrus said he could barely walk and did not return to play."