<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">There are rumors that Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire could be on the block because chemistry problems were mentioned when the Suns lost to San Antonio. Stoudemire is a risky proposition, though, since he's had microfracture knee surgery. Last season went fine, but what about the next four years on his contract? The Bulls may not get very far with their trade bait of the No. 9 pick, Chris Duhon, Viktor Khryapa and maybe a sign-and-trade with Andres Nocioni, who would have to agree to any deal. The Bulls were more willing to part with Tyrus Thomas in February than they are now. Paxson's assertion that a Kirk Hinrich-Ben Gordon backcourt isn't ideal size-wise shouldn't raise any red flags. But it was hard not to read between the lines when Paxson suggested Hinrich spend more time in the weight room, and coach Scott Skiles' praise for the team's hard-working young players stopped at Gordon and Luol Deng. Hinrich is by no means lazy. But while Gordon and Deng took giant leaps forward last season, Hinrich still hasn't equaled his rookie assist average of 6.8. The Bulls probably feel Hinrich could do more to make himself a great player and may consider offering the fourth-year guard in a trade, but that's still a long shot. </div> Source: Daily Herald
I really hope the bulls don't get Amare. I want him in the west. But it is ture, Hinrich hasn't made many strides forward, I hope he does. HE can become a great PG if he can work harder.
I'm not sure Stat is the problem. Phoenix needs to seriously moderate its run-and-gun attack, get some depth and quality defenders. They have a lot of dead weight, such as both Jones boys, Marcus Banks, Pat Burke, etc. They need more inside presence and defensive-conscious players. I don't think it's smart to get rid of Amare tho. I would consider him a key, integral piece to what they do.
Amare is a huge key. He is amazing in the run-and-gun. Plus he can play down low. They shouldn't trade Amare, that would be a bad move.
They weren't far off from overtaking the Spurs, so I don't think they need big changes, (keep Nash, Bell, Marion, Amare, Diaw, and Barbosa), they don't need to be hasty, just try to improve the team without sacrificing its future.
what about salary issues? they cant have all these players on the one team because all three will eventually want max contracts, i assume they will anyway. so if this kind of thing happens where they cant afford to keep all three then who do you guys think would be shipped out? Nash, Marion or Amare?
Keep in mind, Phoenix got further in the playoffs last year without Amare. With his return, Boris Diaw really digressed and was not the impact player he was last season. Diaw proved he could be a force last year and Phoenix advanced to the WCF. The Suns are going to have to deal one of the three (Marion, Amare, or Diaw) because of cap issues and right now Amare can probably get them the most back in a trade.
^^ Akira, Marion makes around 16.4 mill, Amare, 13.3 mill, Nash 11.4 That adds up to 41 mill, the 06-07 luxury tax was at 65.42 mill (about 4 mill more than the year before). If the luxury tax only increases by 2 mill next year, then the Suns will probably be 11-12 mill above the tax line. However 08-09 Kurt Thomas' contract ends, so that is 8 mill off the books, and they could trade for cap space by trading Marcus Banks. (4 mill) That would leave the Suns' salaries at 67 mill, guessing to be 2 mill under the 08-09 luxury tax. EDIT: Reply to Shape, I know Phoenix got further last year in the playoffs, but I would argue that it had more to do with who they played (Lakers, Clippers - not elite teams), and then they played a team of similar ability to them (Mavs). This year the Suns played against a team of similar ability in the 2nd round (Spurs), and were not beaten easily. The Spurs seem to be the best team in the league at the moment. I think if the 2007 playoff Suns team (no suspended players) played the 2006 playoff Suns team, I think the 2007 team would be better. I think Diaw mainly 'regressed' because of his lesser role with the team. Having Amare back leads to less touches, less minutes, less boards, possibly also slightly mentally down compared to last year where his role was somewhat bigger. Depending on what they could trade him for, it might make sense. He is a good passer and chemistry guy, but at 9 mill it might be worth it to trade him.
What are the Suns main weaknesses? They don't have many inside bodies, they don't get many free throws, and rebounding. How is getting rid of Amare going to help with those? If they trade him they need to get another big man who can play offense and defense as good, if not better, than Amare. There has been some KG talk, we'll just have to see... I have come to mostly trust Phoenix when it comes to player transactions, it may not seem like a great move at the time, but more often than not they seem to work out.
