Suns appear to be coming together

With the moves made last week, and the extension with Steve Nash expected to be finalized this week, things are starting to take shape for next year's squad. Amar'e Stoudemire is recovering from a minor eye surgery to clean some things up and should be able to resume activities in a week or two. The interview with him in the Republic this morning did little to provide optimism for anything past the upcoming season. Amar'e said that the conversation between his agent and Steve Kerr went phenomenal although an extension was not even discussed so it's hard to imagine how great the talks actually went. Ric Bucher did post on Twitter that Amar'e to Golden State was "dead" so that is a positive sign, while rumors have been floating around of the Suns desire to remove STAT from the trade market altogether.

As a Suns fan, my biased opinion would be for them to hold on to Amar'e and try and make one last run at the playoffs. However, the current team isn't built to compete with the top tier teams in the West. With that being said, the business side of me would let Amar'e enter the season with that chip on his shoulder that he always seems to harbor. That chip will only allow him to increase his trade value with All-Star caliber play in the Suns first half of 09-10. If the team is out of the mix come January, then blow it up again and call it a done deal. Re-building is obviously in the near future for the Suns one way or the other. The question is whether Sarver will give the them one more chance. By the looks of the past few days, it looks like he will, for the short-term.

Busy day for the Suns

Just when we thought the Suns offseason couldn't be any more boring and uneventful, they finally decided to wake up this morning and make something happen. KTAR 620 reported this morning that Grant Hill has chosen to stay with the Suns, while local Valley product Channing Frye will sign a 3 year deal with the club as well. Frye should fit well into the Suns system with his ability to hit the mid-range jumper. John Gambodoro also reported that Suns brass will meet with Steve Nash and his agent in Las Vegas next week to finalize his contract extension for two more years on top of his final year of his current contract.

We weren't finished there as first round pick Earl Clark came to terms as well. Couple that with the Twitter feed from Amar'e stating he was having his final eye surgery to fix the iris, and it's been a productive day for the organization. Even though none of these moves actually make the team better, at least we will have an opportunity to win or lose with what made us great, instead of gutting the team and having a built-in excuse for why we will probably miss the playoffs again.

Suns sign Earl Clark

(Suns News) The Phoenix Suns have signed first-round pick Earl Clark. Gambo & Ash talking Suns NOW on Sports 620 KTAR.

Steve Kerr is Alive!

Finally some good news @ home (Suns News) KTAR's John Gambadoro reports the Suns have signed Grant Hill and are closing in on a 2-year deal with Channing Frye.

Marion to Dallas becoming more likely

The Suns offseason of standstill continues while it appears that the Matrix may be coming back to the Western Conference after all, just not to PHX. For all the Suns fans out there who would love to see Shawn Marion back in Phoenix, it doesn't look like that is going to happen. I never saw Marion being that interested in coming back anyways. The window on this version of Suns 2.o expired two years ago

Marc Stein just tweeted: STEIN_LINE_HQESPN.com reports that Memphis has been recruited as 3rd team in the Dallas/Toronto S-and-T for Matrix Marion. Deal close but not done

STEIN_LINE_HQMatrix Marion-to-Dallas deal could wind up including four teams from what I'm hearing.http://bit.ly/Q9WtT

Shawn Marion back to Phoenix?

John Gambadoro is reporting that the Suns have an interest in bringing back fan-favorite Shawn Marion for the mid-level exception. I'd have to believe that this would be a last ditch option for Trix seeing as how Steve Kerr sent him on his way after telling him he wasn't a max-extension candidate. (which he wasn't by the way, but that's here nor there) Spending last season in Miami and Toronto surely opened his eyes to life after Nash. It should be interesting to see how this one plays out. Stay tuned

Grant Hill to Celtics? Amar'e to G.S. back on?

There are rumors circulating from the Boston Globe that strongly indicate the possibility of Grant Hill signing with the Boston Celtics. With their recent acquisition of Rasheed Wallace, plus All-Star Paul Pierce playing Hill's position, it is clear that this decision would be based solely on the opportunity to win. The Suns would obviously be able to offer GH more, but with the re-building that appears to be right around the corner, PHX is no longer a prime free-agent destination. GH will also meet with Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks today as well, though it is hard to picture Grant leaving PHX to play for the worst team in the East.

In other news, Ric Bucher just posted on Twitter that Don Nelson is still very high on Amar'e Stoudemire, and that the trade still may happen this week. It has almost gotten to the point that it wouldn't be a total shock to see the Suns dump STAT for less than equal value. One day Amar'e tweets his undying allegiance to Phoenix, and the next he is spouting off about the Lakers and Golden State. Suns fans can only hope that Steve Kerr doesn't turn this into a long process dragged out through the media. Either deal Amar'e this week, or put an end to the rumors, and publicly state your intentions. I understand that the NBA is a business like any other, but it can't hurt to keep your loyal, paying customers in the loop.

Outside looking in

It has been a busy week in the Association as July 1st has come and gone. All free agents are able to negotiate with any team across the league. Contracts cannot be inked until the 8th, though many stars already have deals in place. The champion Lakers made big headlines yesterday when word broke that they will be signing Ron Artest away from Houston. After offering Trevor Ariza nothing more than the mid-level exception, which he declined, prompting the Lakers to sign Artest, thus prompting Ariza to sign with Houston to fill their void.

The ’08 champion Celtics are in heavy pursuit of Rasheed Wallace to come play alongside KG on the front line in Beantown. Couple that with Shaq in Cleveland, VC in Orlando, and Richard Jefferson in San Antonio, and it’s clear that all the heavyweights are re-loading and re-tooling, hoping to make one more run at the Larry O’Brien trophy. The time is now, with teams focusing on next year instead of 2010.

Meanwhile back on the home front, Suns fans still aren’t sure what direction we are heading. Does Amar’e Stoudemire sitting courtside with Robert Sarver at the Mercury game mean anything, really? Sarver’s been in business long enough to know how the importance of public relations. He realizes that fans blame him for the demise of the organization, and he will do whatever is necessary to promote something positive. Even with the reports that Amar’e remaining in Phoenix are getting stronger, all it takes is one phone call to change that. In the meantime Suns fans will just sit and look up in the standings, while all the contenders continue to re-up. Funny how not long ago, PHX was the free-agent destination. Now it’s just the place where opponents love to come play.

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.