OT: Suns taking offers for Amar'e

[Fez Hammersticks]

After recent discussions with Amar’e Stoudemire’s(notes) agent that didn’t appear to destine a contract extension, the Phoenix Suns have increased their efforts to trade the All-Star forward, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Sunday night.

League executives say the Suns have become more active initiating talks over the past few days, and believe the franchise will take the best offer for Stoudemire before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. The Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets are among multiple teams that have a strong interest in Stoudemire, sources say. The Arizona Republic reported Sunday night that the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers have also inquired about Stoudemire.

As they did when shopping Stoudemire last season, the Suns want a combination of young talent, salary-cap relief and draft picks for him. Some teams are hesitant to trade for Stoudemire for fear he won’t want to re-sign with them this summer. The Minnesota Timberwolves lead that group of teams, sources say. The Wolves are mostly eyeing small forwards, including the Memphis Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay(notes), the Bulls’ Luol Deng(notes) and the Washington Wizards’ Caron Butler(notes). No one is untouchable on the Wolves roster, sources say.

LINK​

 

[BenDavis503]

I would do something like this.

http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5404026

Portland incoming - Ryan Gomes, Kevin Love
Portland outgoing - LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez

Phoenix incoming - Rudy Fernandez, Al Jefferson, Brian Cardinal (expiring), 1st round pick from Minny - top 3 protected
Phoenix outgoing - Amare Stoudemire

Minnesota incoming - LaMarcus Aldridge, Amare Stoudemire
Minnesota outgoing - Kevin Love, Brian Cardinal, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes

Portland -

Miller\Blake
Roy\Bayless
Webster\Batum
Love\Gomes
Oden\Pendergraph

Phoenix -

Nash\Goric
Rudy\Barbosa
Richardson\Hill
Jefferson\Dudley
Lopez\Frye

Minny -

Flynn\Sessions
Brewer\Ellington
Wilkins\Tucker
Aldridge\Jawai
Stoudemire\Hollins

I like it!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

That doesn't make sense at all. Amar'e is not a center, neither is LaMarcus. It's kinda like the problem they have now with Love and Jefferson.

I think Flynn would be an interesting prospect. He'd thrive next to Roy. The triangle offense has been horrible for Johnny.

 

[BenDavis503]

That doesn't make sense at all. Amar'e is not a center, neither is LaMarcus. It's kinda like the problem they have now with Love and Jefferson.

I think Flynn would be an interesting prospect. He'd thrive next to Roy. The triangle offense has been horrible for Johnny.

Meh. I am bored.

 

[julius]

I would avoid Amare like the plague.

 

[ABM]

I would avoid Amare like the plague.

Me, too.

Plus, when Oden gets back, I think LMA will compliment his game perfectly. Let that one ride.

 

[mook]

I wonder what an all-time "fantastic player that nobody really wants" team would look like. Really great players on quality teams that because of their playing style/attitude/contracts you just don't want to deal with.
PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: Allen Iverson
SF: ?
PF: Amare Stoudemire
C: ?

 

[cdub503]

I wonder what an all-time "fantastic player that nobody really wants" team would look like. Really great players on quality teams that because of their playing style/attitude/contracts you just don't want to deal with.
PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: Allen Iverson
SF: ?
PF: Amare Stoudemire
C: ?

SF: Rudy Gay?
C: Shaq (well now kinda it seems?)

 

[Boob-No-More]

I wonder what an all-time "fantastic player that nobody really wants" team would look like. Really great players on quality teams that because of their playing style/attitude/contracts you just don't want to deal with.
PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: Allen Iverson
SF: ?
PF: Amare Stoudemire
C: ?

Assuming we aren't restricted to active players (you said "all-time") I'd add Latrell Sprewell (team captain) and Eddie Curry to that list.

Perhaps Bonzie Wells as your starting small forward. After being run out of Portland he quit on Memphis in the play-offs and was told to stay home. He had a brief, successful run in Sacramento, asked for too much money and was sent packing. After Rick Adelman landed in Houston, he took another chance on Bonzie, which failed miserably, as did Bonzie's brief stint (did is even last a month) playing in China. Definitely fits the mold of talented head case.

Late career Stephon Marbury probably qualifies.

Until recently, you probably could have had Zach Randolph and Stephen Jackson on that team, but they both seem to have found homes and Zach only has 1.5 years left on that awful contract he signed while in Portland. So, he'll have a lot of trade value next year as a huge expiring contract - who also happens to be an all-star (assuming he makes the team this year - he should).

Other players who are grossly overpaid: Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal (the first and third highest paid players in the league). Obviously, neither is the player they once were. Jermaine is having a decent season (12.6 PPG and 6.9 RPG) in Miami, but at almost $23 million he's not exactly earning his money. At least he's playing (and won' be voted as an all-star game starter). The good news for the Heat and Rockets are both players are expiring contracts. So, the end is near.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

Assuming we aren't restricted to active players (you said "all-time") I'd add Latrell Sprewell (team captain) and Eddie Curry to that list.

Perhaps Bonzie Wells as your starting small forward. After being run out of Portland he quit on Memphis in the play-offs and was told to stay home. He had a brief, successful run in Sacramento, asked for too much money and was sent packing. After Rick Adelman landed in Houston, he took another chance on Bonzie, which failed miserably, as did Bonzie's brief stint (did is even last a month) playing in China. Definitely fits the mold of talented head case.

Late career Stephon Marbury probably qualifies.

Until recently, you probably could have had Zach Randolph and Stephen Jackson on that team, but they both seem to have found homes and Zach only has 1.5 years left on that awful contract he signed while in Portland. So, he'll have a lot of trade value next year as a huge expiring contract - who also happens to be an all-star (assuming he makes the team this year - he should).

Other players who are grossly overpaid: Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal (the first and third highest paid players in the league). Obviously, neither is the player they once were. Jermaine is having a decent season (12.6 PPG and 6.9 RPG) in Miami, but at almost $23 million he's not exactly earning his money. At least he's playing (and won' be voted as an all-star game starter). The good news for the Heat and Rockets are both players are expiring contracts. So, the end is near.

BNM

Latrell would make that team. Curry was never considered a fantastic player (at least I don't think he was).

 

[Boob-No-More]

Latrell would make that team. Curry was never considered a fantastic player (at least I don't think he was).

He was an excellent offensive talent, but didn't play defense and only rebounded when he felt like it, which wasn't often. He had the tools, but lacked the desire. This was made worse by Isiah giving him a ridiculous contract and giving up two lottery picks for the privilige.

So, perhapos not "fantastic" but he was/is a a grossly overpaid underchiever who never justified his high draft position, or what he cost the Knicks in salary or picks.

BNM

 

[handiman]

Derrick Coleman would shore up the front court.

 

[Natebishop3]

With all due respect, I don't think you guys are understanding what Mook was saying. Coleman and Curry have nowhere near the accomplishments of Allen Iverson, Gilbert Arenas, or Amare Stoudemire. We're talking about perennial All-Stars here. Iverson was an MVP. Coleman and Curry belong on the "I didn't live up to the hype" team. They were definitely under achievers. Mook was saying Iverson, Arenas, and Stoudemire are all amazing players with impressive resumes that nobody wants. Though I'm sure Amare and Gil will end up somewhere.

 

[Boob-No-More]

With all due respect, I don't think you guys are understanding what Mook was saying. Coleman and Curry have nowhere near the accomplishments of Allen Iverson, Gilbert Arenas, or Amare Stoudemire. We're talking about perennial All-Stars here. Iverson was an MVP. Coleman and Curry belong on the "I didn't live up to the hype" team. They were definitely under achievers. Mook was saying Iverson, Arenas, and Stoudemire are all amazing players with impressive resumes that nobody wants. Though I'm sure Amare and Gil will end up somewhere.

Coleman made two All-NBA teams to Gilbert's three. He was also Rookie of the Year and an All-Star. So, it's not like his accomplishments pale in comparison to Gilbert's. You are correct though that the expectations were a lot higher as a former No. 1 over all draft pick.

Perhaps another example of a player who fell off the map and went from four consectutive all-star appearances to persona non grata was Vin Baker. Where Arenas' downfall was guns, Baker's was booze. The man he was traded for, Shawn Kemp had a similar demise. He went from one of the top players in the league to a fat coke head with a huge contract in a very short period of time.

Of course those are examples of guys whose talent level fell of rapidly due to their addictions. Arenas and Amare' still have the talent, but are undesirable for other reasons. Which brings us back to Sprewell. Vernon Maxwell is another example of a player who wore out his welcome before he wore out his talent, as was J.R. Rider, perhaps the poster child for a player whose own stupidity cost him a potential Hall of Fame career.

BNM

 

[handiman]

Coleman was a hell of a lot better than you give him credit for. Karl Malone once said that Coleman would be the best PF in the game if he had the head for it.

edit: BNM beat me to it...

 

[PtldPlatypus]

With all due respect, I don't think you guys are understanding what Mook was saying. Coleman and Curry have nowhere near the accomplishments of Allen Iverson, Gilbert Arenas, or Amare Stoudemire. We're talking about perennial All-Stars here. Iverson was an MVP. Coleman and Curry belong on the "I didn't live up to the hype" team. They were definitely under achievers. Mook was saying Iverson, Arenas, and Stoudemire are all amazing players with impressive resumes that nobody wants. Though I'm sure Amare and Gil will end up somewhere.

Then McGrady and VC probably deserve consideration for the SF spot. Tough to find a perennial all-star center that nobody really wants, since they're so intrinsic to a championship team. Patrick Ewing, maybe? I don't think I could get behind that, because even though he only ever reached two finals', he was still a monster defender/rebounder.

 

[mook]

With all due respect, I don't think you guys are understanding what Mook was saying. Coleman and Curry have nowhere near the accomplishments of Allen Iverson, Gilbert Arenas, or Amare Stoudemire. We're talking about perennial All-Stars here. Iverson was an MVP. Coleman and Curry belong on the "I didn't live up to the hype" team. They were definitely under achievers. Mook was saying Iverson, Arenas, and Stoudemire are all amazing players with impressive resumes that nobody wants. Though I'm sure Amare and Gil will end up somewhere.

I think you hit it it.

Zach Randolph before this year would definitely have to be considered for the list. A perennial 20/10 player, one of the very best post scorers in the game. And we gave him up for Channing Frye? And he's bounced to 4 teams in 8 seasons? He was practically the poster child for the category I just made up.

Spree and Bonzi never really put up consistently dominant stats like the guys on my list.

Coleman is an interesting choice. I could see that one. He put up quite a few good statistical seasons with the Nets, although it generated few wins.

 

[mook]

BTW--If I were Amare's agent, I'd show him this thread. Whenever your career is being mentioned beside most of the characters appearing here, you are doing something seriously wrong with your career.

 

[mook]

Tough to find a perennial all-star center that nobody really wants, since they're so intrinsic to a championship team. Patrick Ewing, maybe? I don't think I could get behind that, because even though he only ever reached two finals', he was still a monster defender/rebounder.

Yeah, I'd take a 28 year old Ewing on my team any day.

Center is the toughest one to come up with. Maybe Ben Wallace? Even in his hayday, which was a really damned good hayday, he was such an albatross on offense.

You had to play 5 on 4 every single possession. Which was ok if you had in-their-prime Billups, Sheed, Hamilton and Prince, and an awesome commitment to grinding half court defense. But there were a lot of teams he would've been a lousy fit on, even when in his prime.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Shawn Kemp. He went from being one of the 10-15 best players in the league to being an utter embarassment.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yeah, I'd take a 28 year old Ewing on my team any day.

Center is the toughest one to come up with. Maybe Ben Wallace? Even in his hayday, which was a really damned good hayday, he was such an albatross on offense.

You had to play 5 on 4 every single possession. Which was ok if you had in-their-prime Billups, Sheed, Hamilton and Prince, and an awesome commitment to grinding half court defense. But there were a lot of teams he would've been a lousy fit on, even when in his prime.

I'm thinking Jermaine O'Neal might qualify for this "honor"--6 all-star games, but kind of "meh" as a team player. Maybe that's just the bitter Blazer fan in me talking...

Or, going back in history--what about Jack Sikma?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Spree and Bonzi never really put up consistently dominant stats like the guys on my list.

Sprewell is a rather unique case, for a number of reasons. He made 1st team All-NBA in 93-94 - his second season in the league, but it wasn't his best season and he never even made made 3rd team All-NBA after that. His PER was only 15.9 that year, but his per game stats were inflated by playing more minutes than anyone else in the league and playing those minutes for a Don Nelson coached team that played at a very fast pace. 96-97 was a much better season for him, but he played fewer MPG and at a slower pace under Rick Adelman. So, his per game stats weren't as flashy.

Then came the choking incident.

Perhaps Steve Francis is a better example. His career was suprisingly short and his fall from stardom rapid. He was a former ROY who went from three consecutive all-star appearances to a guy who couldn't get off the bench on a very bad Knicks team in an amazingly short time span. His playing career was essentially over at 28 - when most players are in their prime. After the Knicks he was basically a bad contract that nobody wanted (passed from Portland to Houston to Memphis). His decline was amazing for a guy who never really suffered a major injury (nothing requiring surgery until his brief second stint in Houston).

BNM

 

[BrianFromWA]

While Amare may not be a great fit for us (who am I kidding? He's tall and can play) he may be the catalyst for our long-awaited "consolidation" trade.

As Sheridan said today on ESPN, everyone knows PHX is cheap and will sell for pennies on the dollar. Might be a good time to try to work some things out and get in on the monster deal. Miller and Przy for expirings gets us cap space back. We can toss in Bayless or Rudy if the other team needs a sweetener. OR you can use Blake/Travis to get long-term deals done. There's still a ton of flexibility.

I'd like Love or Biedrins. Or Rubio's rights (much harder to get). Or the cap space idea.

 

[hasoos]

I haven't seen a lot of folks mention specifics about why they wouldn't get him, but I am assuming it's because of the cost it would take to re-sign him? I know his body language hasn't been real good on the Suns lately, but I think part of that has to do with the fact he knows they aren't going to win jack shit there this year.

I think he could fit here if he is willing to buy in to win a championship. I think he can fit with both Oden and Aldridge.

 

[Minstrel]

Maybe Damon Stoudamire qualifies for this? He was around a 20 point/10 assist guy for Toronto, came to Portland with something of a "star point guard" aura and quickly became a player very few fans would want on their team.

 

[mook]

Perhaps Steve Francis is a better example. His career was suprisingly short and his fall from stardom rapid. He was a former ROY who went from three consecutive all-star appearances to a guy who couldn't get off the bench on a very bad Knicks team in an amazingly short time span. His playing career was essentially over at 28 - when most players are in their prime. After the Knicks he was basically a bad contract that nobody wanted (passed from Portland to Houston to Memphis). His decline was amazing for a guy who never really suffered a major injury (nothing requiring surgery until his brief second stint in Houston).

BNM

Yeah Steve "The Franchise" Francis is a great example. He gets in just for the ultra-ironic nickname. I'd put him above Damon Stoudamire just because I think he was a much better player than Damon ever was. Ultra-athletic, great rebounder for a PG, ROY...the only thing Damon really beat him on was three point shooting. Although it was a pretty close call who had the larger ego.

It's amazing how fast and far Francis' career fell. One day he's deciding whether Yao was worthy to share his spotlight, the next he's stuck in a Knicks death spiral.

 

[LittleAlex]

Amar'e is looking to go to a larger market. Portland is going in the wrong direction size wise.

I wonder how he will play without Nash on the floor. I know if I was an NBA player and I was on the same team as Nash I would play with that dude until he retired. He makes the game much easier for everyone else on the floor on offense.

Hell, D'Antoni should send Nash 10% of his paycheck every month as a fee for making his coaching look so good.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I wouldn't trade Darius Miles for Amare Stoudemire.

Wait. Yes I would.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I haven't seen a lot of folks mention specifics about why they wouldn't get him, but I am assuming it's because of the cost it would take to re-sign him? I know his body language hasn't been real good on the Suns lately, but I think part of that has to do with the fact he knows they aren't going to win jack shit there this year.

I think he could fit here if he is willing to buy in to win a championship. I think he can fit with both Oden and Aldridge.

He's a douche, he doesn't fit the system, he doesn't fit the culture, and he's not worth the price even if the first three disqualifiers weren't true.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Amar'e is looking to go to a larger market. Portland is going in the wrong direction size wise.

I wonder how he will play without Nash on the floor. I know if I was an NBA player and I was on the same team as Nash I would play with that dude until he retired. He makes the game much easier for everyone else on the floor on offense.

Hell, D'Antoni should send Nash 10% of his paycheck every month as a fee for making his coaching look so good.

No kidding. Amare is currently averaging 20.9 PPG and 8.6 RPG playing on the highest scoring team in the league. I wonder what his numbers would look like playing on the slowest paced team in the league - probably somewhere in the 17/7 to 18/8 range. Sound familiar. It should, that's basically what LaMarcus Aldridge has averaged over the past 2.5 seasons.

Amare doesn't play defense and will likely leave for a bigger market with a warmer climate. He's from Florida and with Jermaine O'Neal's $23 million expiring contract, I could see him easily ending up in Miami with D-Wade.

In any case, no thanks. He's a guy whose stats are inflated by the system he plays in. Shawn Marion regularly posted PERs in the low 20s and averaged > 20/10 while in Phoenix. He hasn't come close to matching those numbers anywhere else. Unless Amare ends up on a crappy team where he gets to jack-up >20 shots a game, look for his numbers to go down too when he leaves behind Steve Nash and the SSOL offense.

BNM