Jan. 25 NBA Rumors

According to Yahoo! Sports, the Phoenix Suns have boosted their efforts to trade power forward Amare Stoudemire. Among the teams interested in adding Stoudemire to their team are the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and the lowly New Jersey Nets.

According to the Arizona Republic, the Cleveland Cavaliers are also interested in Stoudemire's services. This strikes me as the most interesting possibility.

My Cavs/Suns trade analysis:

Cavaliers get: Amare Stoudemire (This season's salary and $16+ million next season)
Suns get: Zydrunas Ilgauskus' $11.5 million expiring contract, Anthony Parker ($2.6 million next year) and J.J. Hickson ($1.5 million next season) and/or a draft pick.

Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cleveland would be replacing one of their two slow-tempo centers with a fast-paced young Stoudemire while only having to throw in the underperforming Parker and Hickson. Lebron would much prefer an uptempo style as opposed to a drag out defensive pace. The Cavs long ago realized that their defense cannot afford to have both Shaq and Big-Z on the court at the same time. Bringing in Stoudemire would mean many more favorable situations in which Shaq and/or Anderson Varejao could come in without having to worry about an outburst from a running team like the Golden State Warriors.
This trade could keep Lebron in Cleveland at least one more year because Stoudemire's contract runs through next year. If Lebron does leave, the Cavs don't have to rebuild because they would still have an All-Star power forward and some role players and they could possibly sign a big name in the offseason if Lebron leaves. But if they did decide to rebuild then they would have Stoudemire's expiring $16.3 million contract next season. Countless teams would be willing to take him in exchange for a boatload of draft picks.
This trade could push the Cavs over the hump. They've already proven they can beat the Lakers with or without Mo Williams.
They are giving away Parker, whom has shot 46% from 3-point range but otherwise underperformed -- scoring a measly 7.2 points per game in 28.7 minutes of play. In the two wins against the Lakers, Parker scored a combined total of 12 points on 4-12 shooting (2-7 from the arc) in 51 minutes but his team still won. His production is easily replaceable.
The Cavs would be forced to play small ball with guys like Williams, Delonte West and Daniel Gibson (which Lebron would love) or play Jamario Moon more in a Bruce Bowen type of role.

Phoenix Suns:
They would get rid of their disgruntled All-Star power forward in exchange for two veteran role players and a young versatile player in Hickson.
Anthony Parker hates putting the ball on the ground. He is a spot up shooter. Nash loves spot up shooters that can open up driving lanes. This would also apply to Ilgauskus. When he comes in to give Robin Lopez some rest, Nash can set him up with some easy 3s. By the way, did you know that Big-Z is 9-17 from behind the arc this year? That is about 53%.
While Nash would hate to see Stoudemire go, he will love playing with two new spot up shooters and a guy like Hickson whom can go up for alley-oops for some showtime highlights.
Admittedly, the Suns would not be as good a team without Stoudemire but the trade would shave about $12.2 million off their books in the offseason, making it much easier to sign a big name in the offseason, and leaving them with about $27 million of expiring contracts (trade-bait) to begin the 2010-11 season.
In other words, it is possible for the Suns to into the 2010-11 season with a lineup similar to this seasons if they replace Stoudemire with a free agent like Carlos Boozer. And if things aren't going perfectly midway through the season they have $27 million worth of trade bait.



I say do it!