Marbury, a future All-Star, was replaced with rookie SG Leandro Barbosa, who only averaged eight points per game.
[2] The oft-injured Tom Gugliotta was released and signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz.
By trading Marbury, the Suns were without a point guard to lead an improving young core of Stoudemire, Marion, Johnson and Barbosa, all 25 years of age or younger.
By shedding the injury-riddled Hardaway and Gugliotta, as well as Marbury, the Suns ended the season with a need for a club leader and money at their disposal.
For the season, they added new orange alternate road uniforms with grey side panels to their jerseys and shorts they remained in used until 2013.