Suns wing Mickael Pietrus is on the mend

Mickael Pietrus' agent, Bill McCandless, said Pietrus had a right knee arthroscopy to remove loose bodies almost three weeks ago in France and will be finished with rehabilitation by the end of this month.

"One piece of loose cartilage was lodged in a spot that impinged his movement and caused him pain during the season," McCandless said. "He says he's much, much better. The good news is he's been forced to work. He has his strength back and no pain."

Pietrus rented a house across the street from his rehabilitation center in France. The surgery and follow-up has been under the watch of the French national team, which recommended a scope when Pietrus showed up for the national team training camp in anticipation of playing in the European Championship starting Aug. 31. He will not play in the tournament.

Pietrus, 29, missed the final 12 games of the Suns' regular season after complaining of right knee pain that stemmed from a quadriceps-tendon strain near the knee. Last month, he exercised a player option to return to the Suns next season for a $5.3 million salary. McCandless said the Suns received trade offers for Pietrus in June, including one offer that he was surprised they declined.

"He's good with being back in Phoenix or fine to be traded," McCandless said. "He just wants to play."
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McCandless said Pietrus has received four serious offers to play overseas but is not interested unless the NBA season is canceled. At that time, it would be easier for him to play in Europe than most NBA pros because of his French passport.

"He just wants to get ready for the NBA season and hope for the best," McCandless said.