Time to blow up the Suns?

We interrupt playoff football to bring you an urgent news story: The Suns cannot contend with the pieces they have now, and will be looking to move Amare before the deadline. Period.

You heard it here first...ok well maybe not first, or even fifth, but you get the picture. While Amare has lived up to expectations this year after eye surgery, he clearly is not as explosive, and still is not interested in rebounding or playing defense. That's exactly why the Suns brought in Shaq last year, and it's why they are starting Lopez with him instead of Frye now. With Frye and Stoudemire together on the floor, it leaves the rebounding to J-Rich and Grant Hill, who bless them have been doing their part to scrap but it just isn't enough. Unfortunately for all parties involved, this team as it is--though entertaining--is not a championship contender.

"So where is Amare going?" Great question. I've been messing around with ESPN's NBA Trade Machine. Obviously you can plug in anything and as long as it works dollar-wise it's going to go through. It doesn't take into account a player's potential, stats, playing time, or a team's willingness to part with said player. That being said, I've come up with a few scenarios that I think are somewhat realistic and I've included the link to the trade so you can see for yourself. Let's explore:


Amare to Cleveland for Zydrunas Ilgauskas/J.J. Hickson/Draft pick
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yktcyq8

First note, you'll notice this trade fails in the Trade Machine, but it's only over ~$65K. Cash considerations would be involved for such a small amount. This is the trade everyone is talking about, mostly because it combines Amare and LeBron into seemingly an unstoppable force in the East. It would get LeBron a chamiponship and the Cavs could potentially re-sign both stars. The issue there is that the combination of Amare and Shaq has been tried already, and has failed. I highly doubt the Cavs are going to try to play that game. In Hickson the Suns would get a PF with potential, but it's questionable how good he really is. This does provide opportunities for Earl Clark to get a real shot at the PF spot, so it does have some upside as far as development. Ilgauskas would likely be bought out and would never play for the Suns. While this trade sounds interesting and is definitely possible, I think it's one of the least likely to happen due to the combination of Amare and Shaq.


Amare/Barbosa to Golden State for Stephen Curry/Andris Biedrins/Anthony Randolph/Raja Bell
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yg3u2uf

This was discussed in the off-season as Amare for Biedrins, Marco Bellinelli, Brandan Wright, and the no. 7 pick in the draft (Curry). Once the draft pick became Curry, the deal fell apart as the Warriors didn't want to part with him. This re-make has potential to work, but it's going to be hard for the Warriors to convince Amare to stay which sours them a bit on this deal. This gives the Suns some great young talent to develop since they've missed out on so many draft picks the last several years. Curry can play both spots so he can back-up Nash or J-Rich, and would be the heir apparent PG when Nash retires. Biedrins is a true center and starts in front of Lopez. Randolph is a nice young PF/C (averaging 12/7) who will get a chance at Amare's spot once he's healthy. In the meantime those minutes would go to a platoon of Frye, Dudley, and rookie Earl Clark. Raja, as much as I love him, would likely be bought out to save $. Amare would get to be the #1 guy in Golden State and Don Nelson isn't going to ask him to play defense any more than he does now. Barbosa goes because he sweetens the deal for the Warriors and would convince them to part with Curry. Neither team wins right away, but it would be a bright future for both the Suns and the Warriors.


Amare/Richardson to New Jersey for Yi Jianlin/Courtney Lee or Chris Douglas-Roberts/Trenton Hassell/Bobby Simmons/Tony Battie/Nets 1st round pick
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yh7wx8x

First I'll note that you cannot put draft picks in the trade machine. Nonetheless, that is what the Suns would (and should) demand for this trade to go down. The Nets are not good at all this year and will likely be first in line in the lottery. If this happens, Suns fans should learn these two words: John Wall. The amazing freshman PG out of Kentucky has quickly established himself as the odds-on #1 draft pick in 2010. He would clearly be the heir to Nash's PG throne. In addition this would be a HUGE salary dump for the Suns. Hassel, Simmons, and Battie would likely never don a Suns uniform as all 3 would be bought out, saving the Suns over $22 million. Either Lee or Douglas-Roberts would be a great addition on the wing for the Suns. Their salaries are somewhat similar, so potentially it could be either one. They're both young and beginning to prove they can consistently score. Either would get to jump right in with LB currently being injured, and like anyone else, playing with Nash will provide a boost in either of their numbers. The Suns also get Yi, a big body like Channing Frye who can score from anywhere on the court. Amare has even agreed to the idea of playing with the Nets despite how bad they are because they're in a big market (Read: Endorsement $$$). For the Nets it puts him along side Brook Lopez who will do the dirty work and allow Amare to pick-and-roll to the lane with Devin Harris. If he doesn't re-sign with them in 2010, it gives them a shot at LeBron with all the salary they will have dumped. J-Rich is another complimentary piece who would start right away for the Nets and would spread the floor for them. He would be signed through next year and gives them another complimentary piece to lure LBJ in the event Amare doesn't re-up.


Amare to Miami for Michael Beasley/Dorell Wright/Quentin Richardson or Udonis Haslem/Miami 1st round pick
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yg8mlsy

This has some interesting upside for the Suns. Beasley and Wright are both younger players who would contribute right away. Beasley would start at PF and Wright would likely steal some minutes from Dudley, Dragic, or Amundsen depending on who is hot. Quentin would likely get bought out, but could play out his contract under the right circumstances as he's played with Nash before. Another possibility would be Udonis Haslem, who could provide an interior presence if the Suns decide not to buy him out. Either player is a fit salary wise, and neither would play for the Suns next season. To get maximum value the Suns would need to get the Heat's 1st round draft pick. Even though the Heat likely won't be in the lottery, the Suns gave up too many picks over the years and are short on young talent. It gives the Suns a chance to win both right now, and down the road. In trading for Amare the Heat would be indicating to Dwayne Wade that they want to contend and it could convince him to stay in Miami. In addition to that, with all of the expiring contracts the Heat have, potentially they could even still attract LeBron to go along with Amare and Wade. Eastern Conference, prepare to wet yourself.


Amare to Chicago for Tyrus Thomas/Taj Gibson/Brad Miller/multiple picks
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ylzcph3

There are a TON of Chicago rumors flying around right now, but this is the option I like the most. In Thomas and Gibson we have two guys who will eat the minutes at PF. If Thomas doesn't pan out after this year we can let him walk and still have Gibson. Gibson's already starting for Chicago and has a ton of upside. Brad Miller is an expiring contract and would be bought out. Chicago's a playoff team this year, but we still need the picks for obvious reasons. It gives Chicago a real shot in the East with a lineup of Hinrich/Rose/Deng/Amare/Noah w/Salmons off the bench. That's a pretty intense lineup for the Bulls.


Amare/Barbosa to NY for David Lee/Wilson Chandler/Larry Hughes
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ygya2w3

In my opinion, this works THE BEST for the Suns as they get something tangible back for Stoudemire, can still put an entertaining product on the floor for the rest of the year, and potentially still compete in the playoffs. Because these guys all play for former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, they would fit well in our system. David Lee is averaging a double/double again in NY, and his contract is up after this season. The Suns will get a crack at re-signing him for less than the max contract they would have to offer to Stoudemire. Wilson Chandler has improved steadily since he came into the league three years ago, and almost looks like a young Shawn Marion, athletic and lanky with an ability to rebound (averaging 15/5) and shoot the 3. He also potentially fills Grant Hill's position when he finally retires. Larry Hughes is a salary dump. The Suns would likely buy him out, but if not they certainly would not pursue keeping him after this season, and would save a bunch of money (Read: Robert Sarver sleeps well at night). This works for the Knicks on all sorts of levels. Mike D'Antoni has coveted Amare and LB since he left Phoenix. They also will have the $ to sign Amare to a max deal, and by doing so will show LeBron James that they are serious about contending which could be enough to lure him to the Big Apple. Barbosa fits well into D'Antoni's system and will do exactly what he does here; bring energy, speed, and shooting. He also would be a great complimentary player to LeBron and Amare as he usually creates his own shots through hustle plays. Though the Suns have been extremely reluctant to part with Barbosa in the past, this might be the time to sell while his stock is high. They'd be getting everything they've wanted in Lee and Chandler.



So as you can see, there are tons of options out there, and most of them work out favorably for both sides. What will really happen? Who knows.