With new team president Lon Babby now on board and a new GM to follow in the near future, the Suns are in the midst of a transition period in the front office. So what's the plan to land an impact player now that Amare Stoudemire is gone? "We can sign some good contracts at reasonable prices that give us the ability to compete and be good, but also the flexibility that if we want to bring that franchise player in and that opportunity (exists), the best way that's going to happen for us is through a trade, not through free agency over the next couple of years," Babby said, according to Seth Pollack of SB Nation. One franchise player that could be available in two seasons once Steve Nash's contract is up? Chris Paul. He can opt out of his contract for 2012-2013 and become a free agent, and the Suns could potentially do a sign-and-trade deal by sending back some of their contracts. Of course, the 36-year-old Nash still played at a high level this past season, so he could opt for a new contract after these next two seasons instead of retiring. And Paul could also have his sights on other locales, such as New York -- which continues to be rumored for him -- as do various destinations via a trade before he can opt out. But Paul would perhaps be a perfect transition from Nash, provided the Suns are still running their same uptempo system in the future. - Ryan Corazza
