Stoudemire wants to remain in Phoenix

Chris Broussard of ESPN noted that the Suns are reportedly discussing an extension with Amar’e Stoudemire amidst continuing rumors of his apparent departure. Check out this pretty candid conversation between Ryan Marcus and STAT at a local Phoenix gym on Monday night. I got the impression that Stoudemire would really like to stay, but many people wonder if he is simply showing out for the local community knowing how quickly word spreads through the Internet.

Sadly though, our opinions are nothing much more than just that. The ‘braintrust’ in the front office have the only opinions that matter. Extending Nash & Stoudemire, as well as re-signing Grant Hill would go a long ways in assuring this very loyal fan base that our owner still cares about something other than the bottom line. Season ticket renewals assuredly will decline after a 9th place finish in the West, and failing to qualify for the postseason for the first time since Steve Nash returned to the Valley in 2004. With no clear outline of what direction the organization is actually heading right now, you can't blame fans for turning away. I don't believe the economy is the scapegoat this time either. If their was a quality product worth watching on the floor every night, then US Airways Center will sell out every night regardless of any economic hardship.

The free agency period just began one hour and 45 minutes ago. It will be an interesting summer to be a Suns fan, and that is putting it rather mildly.

What to do with Sun Tzu?

There was an interesting article in The Arizona Republic this morning regarding the future of Amar'e with the Suns. His agent is pleading with Steve Kerr for an answer, one way or the other on whether or not STAT fits in the Suns future plans. Does anybody really see the sense in giving Amar'e an extension valued at over $20 million a year given his injury-riddled past? Don't play me cheap like Sarver, I would love to see Stoudemire stay in Phoenix for quite sometime, but his desire to be the man on any given team appears to outweigh his desire to win. The Amar'e Stoudemire who averaged 37 points a game against Tim Duncan in the '05 playoffs would surely merit such an extension. However the microfracture/torn iris that has cost him more than a season and a half raises quite a few eyebrows. This seems to be developing into a lose/lose situation for the Suns. Trading Amar'e right now will not net you equal value in return, while giving him a max extension is just as risky. If STAT isn't happy with either situation, he will end up forfeiting his $17 million for 2010-11 by opting out and leaving on his own. As much as I chastise Steve Kerr, this is definitely a moment where I would rather not walk in his shoes. No matter which direction the organization chooses to proceed, there will undoubtedly be backlash from Suns faithful regardless. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America)

Kerr says alot about nothing

I just listened to Colin Cowherd's ESPN interview with Steve Kerr from this morning. The only mention of the Suns was Kerr saying everyone is on the block.

Stephen Curry staying put

ESPN NBA: Don Nelson: Curry's not going anywhere

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?w=18igb&storyId=4290870&i=FAVD

Curry will not be a Sun

The Arizona Republic is reporting that if Golden State is to receive Amar'e Stoudemire, then Stephen Curry will not be going to Phoenix.

Amar'e to Golden State hinges on Curry

I just caught an interview on ESPN with Chris Broussard and he is reporting that Golden State is hesitant now to part ways with Stephen Curry. The Warriors had Curry as #1 on their draft board, simply not expecting him to be available at #7. Reportedly that may end up throwing a wrench in the deal sending Amar'e to Oakland. The Suns interest in this deal is non-existant if Stephen Curry is not part of the trade negotiations. I just don't see Steve Kerr trading away an All-Star power forward for Andres Biedrins, Brandan Wright & Marco Belinelli. You will have to excuse Suns fans for not having ever heard of the last two. But then again I should just remember who the Suns have making these drastic decisions regarding the future of this once proud franchise.

Amar'e Stoudemire traded to the Lakers?

I'm starting to wonder about some bogus Twitter pages. It's starting to look more and more like @amareisreal is a poser for STAT. Read the following tweet which came across this afternoon.

From: @Amareisreal
Sent: Jun 26, 2009 12:48p

Breaking News! Amar'e Stoudemire to the Lakers!!

Amar'e deal with Golden State

(Suns News) According to reports the Suns have a preliminary deal to send Amare Stoudemire to the Warriors. Sports 620 KTAR.

NBA Draft Info/SUNS

Suns Draft Night scoop

azcentral mobile edition

http://www.azcentral.com/w2/blogs/?u=PaulCoro&p_id=56284

Stephen Curry trade to Phoenix Suns

Sources are saying that Stephen Curry may be part of a trade next week sending Amar'e Stoudemire to Golden State. The Suns would receive Andres Biedrins & Curry

So whose the idiot?

There was no shock or surprise this time when the trade of Shaquille O’Neal first hit my Twitter inbox around 9pm last night. This was a move that all Suns fans saw coming for weeks if not months. The trade that never did happen at the All-Star break finally came to fruition as the Suns sent Shaq to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic’s contracts. Don’t plan on ever seeing either of these two in a Suns uniform because sources are saying they plan to buy-out Pavlovic’s contract while desperately hoping that BenWa does indeed decide to retire as he’s hinted at previously.

The only satisfaction I have gotten out of this whole Shaq to Cleveland situation is the fact that we finally have a public declaration by Robert Sarver & Steve Kerr that they royally screwed up the entire organization and future of the franchise by trading Shawn Marion for Shaquille O’Neal. Not only were the Suns in 1st in the West at the time, they have since managed to free-fall to the point of winning 1 measly playoff game last season, to not even qualifying for the postseason this year. All the while Dwight Howard and the Orlando freakin’ Magic make it to the Finals! Worse than that, the Lakers are now on top again. They won 3 titles, hit rock bottom, and now are kings of the hill again. All the while the Suns have imploded. Phoenix is no longer the premier free-agent destination as Mike D’Antoni his famed 7 seconds or less offense is long gone. Alvin Gentry was the only suitable replacement for D’Antoni if the Suns had any intention of returning to running. It’s just a shame that it took a botched coaching hire, Terry Porter, for Suns brass to realize what they were doing to this once proud franchise. After all, the players wanted Gentry last summer. Fortunately for Suns fans, he stayed on as an assistant under Porter’s staff instead of bolting for NY with the rest of the previous coaching staff.

Maybe now Sarver & Kerr will realize that neither one of them has the qualifications to perform their duties in leading the Suns organization. After all, when was there EVER a time that the Cardinals were the hottest ticket in town, while the Valley’s original franchise was merely an afterthought?

I'll leave you with our G.M.'s infamous quote after acquiring Shaq from Miami in 2008. "If it works I'm a genius. If it doesn't, I'm an idiot."

Shaquille O'Neal has been traded again

(Suns news) ESPN is reporting the Suns have traded Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. Sports 620 KTAR.

Shaq traded to Cavs

From: @bomani_jones
Sent: Jun 24, 2009 9:14p

it. is. ON. RT @stephenasmith: My sources tell me it's OFFICIAL: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL IS A CLEVELAND CAVALIER.

Shaq to be dealt by Thursday?

There should be rumors aplenty over the next 48 hours with the draft almost here. Ric Bucher tweeted Monday night about Shaq being dealt. Rumored possible destinations include Chicago, Cleveland, and Portland. Stay tuned

Orange & Purple snaps

The website calling for Steve Kerr to be fired as G.M. of the Phoenix Suns has over 1,000 hits. Looks like the fans in Phoenix may be onto something. Dan Bickley already predicted that this will be Kerr’s last draft as G.M. of the Suns. Needless to say, he is not a very popular fellow around the Valley these days.

The club officially announced today that they will hold training camp at the University of San Diego September 28th-October 4th. I suppose it’s no coincidence that Kerr, Robert Sarver, and Jenny Craig (part owner) all reside in the 619. Though many fans are disappointed the Suns are leaving the state for training camp, I’m excited for the 2-hour cruise south to see my team next season.

There are rumors circulating that the Suns may make a move to try and move up in this week’s draft, possibly as high at the #5 pick. Although my pipe dream of Ricky Rubio really is a long shot, Kerr may impress me and make a move that is actually for the betterment of the organization.

Shaquille O’Neal has been noticeably quiet on the Twitter front lately. He does have the option to do whatever he wants, and post whenever he wants, but ever since he caught flak for his suck-up to Kobe post Finals, we haven’t heard much from him. Suppose he’s looking for housing in Cleveland on the low low? After all, there is absolutely no way we will see him in a Suns uniform next year.

www.firestevekerr.com

via Twitter

Amareisreal: True Amar'e fans, don't worry about the trade rumors.Its Phoenix Suns Nation.Let's stay focus. By the way my eye is doing great.
Sun Tzu

Suns deny trade rumors

Paul Coro reported this morning that the Suns haven't even had the discussion with Minnesota regarding any possible trade including Amar'e Stoudemire or Al Jefferson.

An indirect source mentioned Wednesday that there was talk of a deal that would send Al Jefferson, Minnesota's sixth pick (and maybe even Mike Miller) to Phoenix for Amar'e Stoudemire before a direct source shot it down. A Boston Globe blog reported later Wednesday that there were talks of a Jefferson-and-No. 6 deal for Stoudemire. The Suns denied even having a conversation.

Since the original blog posting, Globe writer Marc Spears added Thursday morning that the trade would not happen but the Suns had made the offer and new Minnesota GM David Kahn called Jefferson to tell him he was not going anywhere.

The addition of Mike Miller into those trade talks would make this a downright theft for the Suns. I don’t understand why the Suns would be so quick to deny such a rumor, unless there’s validity to that very rumor. I don’t see Minnesota taking that gamble knowing that Amar’e will be able to opt-out after next season.

Let’s pretend for a second that this trade did actually happen. Miller included, assuming Jefferson has recovered fully from his ACL injury, the Suns would have the #6 and #14 picks in the draft, plus the possibility that Cleveland will panic and make that deal for Shaq. The Suns would gladly welcome a buy-out opportunity for both Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, while saving about $10 million in cap room. And for the hell of it why not throw those first two picks at Chris Wallace, GM of the Memphis Grizzlies and see if he bites for the #2. He’s been known to make idiotic deals in the past, so what’s it going to hurt for Kerr to at least make the call.

In a perfect world take Ricky Rubio with the #2 and you are set. Re-up Steve Nash for 2 more guaranteed years with a team option for a 3rd and let Rubio learn from an MVP. A starting five next year of Nash, J-Rich, Miller, Jefferson, & Grant Hill would be formidable. You still have Barbosa, Jared Dudley, Robin Lopez, and Rubio off the bench. And as we saw with the Lakers, it never hurts to have some depth on that bench and Alvin Gentry has already shown that he utilizes a much deeper rotation than Mike D’Antoni. This would officially end the Goran Dragic experiment, so if he could be packaged in one of the afore mentioned trades, then don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

Quite frankly though this is all just a pipe dream of potential that Steve Kerr wouldn’t even be able to pull off in this lifetime. Let me know if you have any other ideas for the direction the Suns should head this offseason.

Amar'e headed to Minnesota?

I’ve been deeply disturbed by the high number of Phoenix Suns fans who want the organization to part ways with Amar’e Stoudemire. The up side to STAT’s game is still much to great that the Suns couldn’t possibly get equal value in return. That was until I then learned from RGreyslak @ Bright Side Of The Sun of a possible STAT to Minnesota for Al Jefferson and the #6 rumor that has been circulating. The simple thought of that deal happening made me completely reverse my point of view regarding Amar’e. If Steve Kerr is somehow able to pull of this trade, then I will recant all previous ill will I’ve directed toward him. I personally don’t see why ‘Sota would even think of making this deal. Even with the draft being subpar compared to normal standards, they would still be giving up far too much. Depending upon how well KG is able to recover from his knee injury, Minnesota may ultimately have gotten the best of the KG-Jefferson trade. Plus, ‘Sota finally rid themselves of GM/Head Coach Kevin McHale, which only diminishes the opportunity for a boneheaded move for which McHale was infamous. My gut feeling tells me that the T-Wolves wouldn’t even consider this deal, and apparently KTAR 620’s John Gambadoro agreed with me. Gambo reported via Twitter that there have been no formal discussions between Minnesota and Phoenix regarding this potential trade, and that the rumors are “total crap” I will report back when any new information develops.