"Jason Richardson's best-case scenario is to land a contract extension that keeps him in Phoenix.

But the flip side sounds like a close runner-up. Take a peek at the potential 2011 free-agent class and you will find Richardson as the group's top shooting guard, so much so that two of his Suns backups from last season (Jared Dudley, now playing more as a shooting guard, and Leandro Barbosa, now in Toronto) could be the next two.

The Suns' need for Richardson to be their top scorer this season sets up well in a contract year but Richardson, who turns 30 in January, would rather not be exploring that next summer.

"I'd love to be here," said Richardson, the highest paid Suns player this season at $14.4 million. "I enjoy the community, the team, the organization, my teammates. It's something I definitely want to get done but I'm not going to ponder on it. I'll just let my play do the talking for me and hopefully they see how hard I worked this summer to come back a better player.

"I don't have a contract next year so I'm not just auditioning for the Suns but all the teams we play against. I hope it's here because we have a great group of young guys. I want to be here when Steve (Nash) and Grant (Hill) end their careers and hopefully get to the Finals."

Richardson has been in Phoenix nearly two years, evolving from an awkward transition upon his arrival as a third or fourth option to a more familiar role as a primary scorer. He is the Suns' top returning scorer from last postseason, including 28 points per game in four first-round victories against Portland. Richardson averaged more points in his six previous seasons but Suns coach Alvin Gentry still considered last season the best work of Richardson's career because of his all-around progress."