http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...g=aw-stoudemirecavs021310&prov=yhoo&type=lgns As the Phoenix Suns engage trade discussions with several teams for Amar’e Stoudemire(notes) – including negotiations with the Cleveland Cavaliers – general manager Steve Kerr has been exchanging contract extension proposals with the All-Star’s agent, sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Suns made a multiyear offer last week, and Stoudemire’s representative, Happy Walters, replied with a counterproposal over the weekend. It is unclear what the Suns offered, but Stoudemire is believed to be using the three-year, $57 million extension Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol(notes) received this season as a framework for talks. There’s no indication the Suns’ offer has given Stoudemire pause about wanting to stay long-term with the team. Nothing in the offer indicates that Stoudemire and the Suns are anywhere near an agreement. Stoudemire can opt out of his current contract’s $17.7 million final season and become part of this summer’s free-agent class. As much as anything, this appears to be motivation for the Suns to find a trade partner. The Cavaliers have emerged as serious bidders for Stoudemire, and here’s a good reason for the their pursuit: When presented with several trade proposals, LeBron James(notes) preferred Stoudemire, a league source said. It isn’t clear how center Shaquille O’Neal(notes) feels about the possibility of a Stoudemire deal. The two didn’t mesh well in Phoenix with Stoudemire struggling to find space alongside Shaq. The Cavs would probably have to part with a package that includes center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes), forward J.J. Hickson(notes) and a possible first-round draft pick. Cleveland is also engaged in discussions for several forwards, including Washington’s Antawn Jamison(notes) and Indiana’s Troy Murphy(notes). Privately, Stoudemire’s preferred destination is the Miami Heat, where he could pair with superstar Dwyane Wade(notes) in a far more warmer climate. Heat president Pat Riley has been relentless in his desire to make a deal for Stoudemire. He’s made available everyone on his roster but Wade, and yet it appears Miami’s offers simply aren’t attractive to the Suns. What doesn’t hurt Cleveland’s chances to land Stoudemire is the relationship between the two GMs: Kerr and Cleveland’s Danny Ferry. They were teammates with the San Antonio Spurs and remain close friends. Over the past two years, the Suns have been sellers and the Cavs buyers, and they’ve been able to do business together, including last summer’s Shaq trade.
Amare and his agent are on drugs if they think any team will give him 3yrs/$57MM. His best chance at a max deal would be to go to the Cavs or Heat and take one of them to the next level. The Cavs are good without him, but if Amare proves he can be a dominant player in another system without Steve Nash, it will help his value tremendously. If he can mesh and play effectively off LeBron, the Cavs might go something like 26-2 to finish the season.
Tell me about it. The Cavs are the worst team in the league without Lebron, but with him they're the best. If Ferry could manage to pry away Amare and Jrich from the Suns you're looking at a Dynasty.
they would not be the worst team, but they wouldn't be much better than the 8th seed in the east. so I hope that was a hyperbole.
Looks like this very may well happen. Think it works out or becomes Phoenix2.0 besides Phoenix not having LBJ?
Cavs soon to be getting an absolute steal if Phoenix accepts it!! It will be interesting to see how it works out though. Basically Hickson for Stoudemire
So, is Phoenix having money troubles, do they want to jump into the 2010 fool's gold sweepstakes, or are they just idiots? Because this seems like a rebuilding move to me, something which they shouldn't really even consider as long as they have Nash. If they wanted to rebuild, they should have let Nash go.
Money troubles. And I was gonna ask the same thing. If they move AS1, doesn't it make sense for them to move Nash and/or Hill?
No, I did not say that, ESPN wrote that and said. Why did you quote me? But yes, that is where I read it.
Another thing I was wondering about if this trade goes down and the Cavs do resign Amare in the offseason is what happens to Shaq? You guys think he would resign with Cleveland for a massively reduced price, or would this be it for him? < Good >
IF they win a ring, I could see him retiring. Otherwise, I'm not really sure. He'll either go back at a discount(depend on if LeBron stays, which he very may well) or go catch on with the next "hot" team. Probably stay in Cleveland or retire though.
Well, if you want to be optimisitc, I think it means that Phoenix will drop out of the playoff race if it really is Hickson for Amare. So with New Orleans and Phoenix out, I'd say we have a good chance to make it in now, provided we don't collapse or something.
Just heard Brian Windhorst, the Cavs beat writer talking on the radio. He said he can't believe it, but it is likely to happen. He has reservations about how it will work this year, but as a long term move, it's a no brainer. Looks like this could be a move on the level of the Gasol exchange.
Short term, yeah it might not work, but lock up LeBron, lock up STAT, it could work. You'd have those 2 nice pieces to work with and build around.
