Suns seeking trade offers for Stoudemire

[Andrew]

Story

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.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr met with Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walters, on Thursday, and league sources say there was little sense an agreement could be reached before the trade deadline. With Stoudemire able to opt out of the final $17.7 million season of his contract, the Suns don’t want to risk losing him for nothing in free agency this summer.

I'd love to see the Bulls land him (provided they don't have to give up Rose or Noah; that'd be too much of a blow if Amar'e ends up walking at the season's end) but I'm not very hopeful of it happening. If nothing else, I could see Pax and Forman missing out on a deal because they want to hold on to Hinrich or something silly like that.

[JaoSming]

I always wanted the Celtics to pick him up before Garnett and Ray came and saved the day.

Him going to the Nets would be interesting but they'd have to give up Harris or their probable shot at the #1 draft pick which I dont see thm doing if he is jumping ship after this season

[shadowgrin]

Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walters.

One can never go wrong with an agent named Happy.

I wonder who the Sixers would be willing to give in exchange for Amare. Iggy seems like the obvious choice but he's wanted by the Sixers more so than Brand, but Brand's contract and his play will not garner interest from the Suns or other teams for that matter.

[Dan's Brain]

So what are we thinking for the Bulls to get it done?

Hinrich, Thomas, 1st rounder works under the cap, but it might also take Gibson and/or James Johnson to get the Suns interested.

Anyway, I think I remember suggesting the same scenario last year and the year before and nothing happened. I'M SICK OF BEING BURNED BY AMAR'E STOUDEMIRE, DAMMIT.

If I'm Phoenix, I'd be wanting to stockpile number 1 picks. And if I'm Steve Nash, the day that Amare gets traded, I demand a trade of my own.

[The X]

I don't think Suns are stupid enough to take Gibson

In a deal for Amar'e, Suns would want Noah as centrepiece of the deal, maybe the expiring of Tyrus Thomas, cap fillers & a 1st Round pick. That would be the minimum that I would expect from Suns' perspective. If Bulls don't give up Noah then they ain't getting Amar'e. As simple as that.

[Fresh8]

I'm waiting for some Bynum for Stoudemire rumors to crop up now.

[Martti.]

I think the Bulls looks the best from that list. Thomas + Hinrich + maybe Johnson and pick. Or the summer rumor about the Warriors including Biedrins. Although if he goes to the Heat, that'd be nice.

[Andrew]

So what are we thinking for the Bulls to get it done?

Hinrich, Thomas, 1st rounder works under the cap, but it might also take Gibson and/or James Johnson to get the Suns interested.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind if they gave up Deng if that's what it takes.

[Modifly]

I hope the Rockets are not in the chase too... I dont want to see Amare in a Rockets uniform eventhough he'll make us a better team.

[Lamrock]

Not sure how much good acquiring yet another injury-prone max player would help the Rockets, especially a defensive liability no-less. Chicago does seem to be the best fit for Amar'e, but I doubt they go for him.

[Jackal]

Like Jao, I too wanted Stoudemire to head to LA before the Gasol deal, he's just the kind of player you want to have in the middle along side a good guard.

I feel Kerr really messed up the Suns, but that's just me. He could do his previous franchise a favor by dealing Amar'e to them.

I love big moves come trade-deadline.

[NovU]

Amare is drawing attention from so many teams, but it'll be funny if he refuses to resign with that team at the end of the season. I wonder which team will give up who to get his service. Good that Miami is interested but I doubt we will land him as we have almost nobody worthy to offer.

[Rip32]

Amare is a great player, but it will be interesting to see how he plays away from Steve Nash. Suns Nash has had a way of making guys look better then they are. I think Amare is good, but I have to wonder if his production might fall off without Nash getting him the ball-- similar to a Chris Paul-Tyson Chandler chemistry (because now Tyson is back to being the oft-injured bust he was pre-CP3).

[Andrew]

Amare is drawing attention from so many teams, but it'll be funny if he refuses to resign with that team at the end of the season.

Indeed, though just how funny it is depends on whether or not he ends up on your favourite team. I think anyone trading for Amar'e has to be aware he could bolt at the end of the season if he doesn't see much of a future with that team beyond the rest of the season and be wary about giving up too much. The Suns may have to settle for less than they might have been able to get for him last season.

[tee-pane]

Other than Amare, the Suns do not have any other reliable low post, big man. The Suns are still in the playoff picture, it's not like they are in the 9th or 10th spots. I don't think the Suns would get rid of Amare atm, but if things get bad...

[Dan's Brain]

Other than Amare, the Suns do not have any other reliable low post, big man. The Suns are still in the playoff picture, it's not like they are in the 9th or 10th spots. I don't think the Suns would get rid of Amare atm, but if things get bad...

Yes, but....

Do nothing and you lose him for nothing in July anyway. And being in the playoff picture isn't an ideal situation for a team like the Suns. They won't beat the Lakers, Spurs, Mavericks or even Rockets in a 7-game playoff series. They need to rebuild, and need all of the chips they can to do that. Amare has no interest in staying with the team, so trade him and get some valuable commodities back.

[Andrew]

Exactly. It's not about wanting to get rid of him or not believing he can be a valuable part of their team, it's about being worried that he'll be gone this offseason without the Suns getting anything in return and looking to make a deal before they lose him for nothing.

[NovU]

It seems Amare always felt he was under shadows of Nash. When Shaq came, he lost somewhat of his space under the rim, and I think that also contributed to his displeasure as well. Anyways, if PHX doesn't get a good player in return, I hope to see Nash going somewhere with decent chance of winning a title.

[Andrew]

Spurs consider bidding for Stoudemire

Another intriguing suitor could emerge in the bidding for Phoenix Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire: the San Antonio Spurs.

Multiple league sources say the Spurs’ front office has researched and debated pursuing Stoudemire to play alongside Tim Duncan.

There are questions for the Spurs to answer: Would they be willing to part with the personnel – including possibly Manu Ginobili – to make a deal happen?

An interesting possibility that begs its fair share of questions as to whether or not it could work out and thus worth doing. However, given that the Spurs are a bit sluggish and only 1.5 games out of being bounced from the top eight in the tougher conference and having a player like Amar'e on the table, possibly attainable at cents on the dollar, it's worth showing a little interest at least.

[NovU]

That'd be a sweet deal for the Spurs. If you can get young legs for old legs who's having a career low in minutes and productions, it is a no brainer. More importantly, Spurs will not be offering an extension to Ginobili as his performance isn't worth more than 10 million anymore, and that means he could just walk after this season without getting nothing in return for the Spurs.

[koberulz]

You don't think the drop in minutes caused the drop in production? He's getting less defensive boards, and shooting a slightly lower percentage, but other than that he's doing about the same as last season.

[Andrew]

More importantly, Spurs will not be offering an extension to Ginobili as his performance isn't worth more than 10 million anymore, and that means he could just walk after this season without getting nothing in return for the Spurs.

I reckon the Spurs would have a better chance of retaining Ginobili than Stoudemire, barring a championship (and even then, I'm not 100% sure he'd stay beyond the season).

[NovU]

You don't think the drop in minutes caused the drop in production? He's getting less defensive boards, and shooting a slightly lower percentage, but other than that he's doing about the same as last season.

Of course... but I also have to think drop in minutes is caused by less effienct performance for the team on the court or coule be his ankle problem again stating that he already has missed a few games this year as usual.

More importantly, Spurs will not be offering an extension to Ginobili as his performance isn't worth more than 10 million anymore, and that means he could just walk after this season without getting nothing in return for the Spurs.

I reckon the Spurs would have a better chance of retaining Ginobili than Stoudemire, barring a championship (and even then, I'm not 100% sure he'd stay beyond the season).

True that, as I think Stoudemire wants to be "the man" on his next team, while Ginobili has been a long time Spurs player. But if it comes down to money, I think there're going to be teams that are wlling to overpay for Ginobili's service as he's likely to draw much attention in the market this summer.

[Andrew]

I'd say so too, anyone who misses out on a top tier free agent could certainly panic and overpay the best available free agent willing to come to town. My guess is that barring his inclusion in a deal for Stoudemire (or someone else), they'll at least try to retain him at the end of the year at a lower amount and will have a good chance of keeping him.

[air gordon]

I feel Kerr really messed up the Suns, but that's just me. He could do his previous franchise a favor by dealing Amar'e to them.

What did Kerr do to mess up the Suns?

i think he's done an ok job with a team that maxed out and was on it's way down. players like Marion & Diaw were nice but they haven't enjoyed the same success as their Suns days. Shaq was very good while in Phx but now in Cleveland his effectiveness on offense is at a career low

the current Suns.... for the first 30 games or so, they surprised everyone by being one of top teams in the league