Amare Stoudemire Subject of Trade Rumors
Latest Amare Stoudemire Trade Rumors/Updates
2/18/09
With less than 24 hrs until the NBA's trading deadline ends tomorrow afternoon, the Suns appear to be standing pat, at least with regards to Amare Stoudemire. After firing Terry Porter and returning to the fastbreak pace of old, PHX appears to be content w/ the core of players on the current roster.
I still believe the trade for Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley will pay dividends down the road. Both players bring energy and a positive attitude to a team that had finished last year on a sour note & started this year the same way.
With nearly $30 million remaining on Shaq's contract, which ends after next year, I wouldn't be surprised to the see the Suns move him for a quicker, more youthful center who can run w/ the offense. Of course, keeping Shaq would enable the Suns to play the half-court game against the Western super powers (Spurs, Lakers), but it also comes w/ a risk.
If you were Kerr, what moves would you make?
2/13/09
There was apparently a proposed trade w/ Memphis Grizzlies, to include Rudy Gay, Mike Conley Jr. and Hakim Warrick for Stoudemire (and possibly other inclusions). The Memphis feeling is that the Suns are asking to much, so the deal was nixed.
Other possibilities include the Portland Trail Blazers, w/ names rumored to be Aldridge, Bayless and LaFrentz, and the Chicago Bulls w/ names rumored to be Tyrus Thomas, Noah and Hinrich.
Original Post, 2/6/09
Reports out this week indicate that the Phoenix Suns are shopping Amare Stoudemire, along w/ all other players except for Steve Nash.
Stoudemire has been less than superb this year, despite reaching the NBA All-Star Game as a starter in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, the selection only adds to Amare's "big head" in terms of thinking he's the shit for whoever he's playing for. And yes, he is the shit, but not enough... until he can play defense EVERY game, he will be a disappointment. Offense is great, but you can't win if you're unable to stop the opponent... and the Suns have proved year after year that they cannot play defense when it counts. As a core of this team, along w/ Nash, you would think STAT would step up and show everyone just how good he can be on a regular basis. He's done it in flashes, no doubt, but he has a hard time putting it together in consecutive games.
The Suns in general are just lost... leading Sacramento by 50 in the 3rd quarter and then getting blown out by the Golden State Warriors. Who is this team trying to be? The Suns (Colangelo/D'Antoni) or the Spurs (Kerr/Porter)??? It is often unclear which identity the team prefers and/or plays best as. At times, they look dominant playing slow w/ Shaq in the paint, but other times, they look like they don't know what the F they are doing.
Losing Amare would certainly suck, but if it means improving the team, you have to let Kerr do it. Stoudemire is a max player, so the Suns are sure to get value in return for him (to match salaries). The most interesting part of any trade, is if it makes PHX better this year or if it is a plan for the future. Are they giving up already or making a move up the conference rankings?
Either way, I hope the Suns make a good choice. They have a lot riding on Amare, but could also go several steps back if they move him (or other players). The rematch against the Warriors tonight and the upcoming road trip against the East's best will go a long way in determining how the Suns roster shapes up at the end of the season.