To trade Amar’e Stoudemire or to not trade Amar’e Stoudemire, that is the decision currently staring the Phoenix Suns brass in the faces. And it is a decision that they have been faced with for quite some time now, ever since they were unable to trade or re-sign Stoudemire before the season began. But with the trade deadline creeping closer by the minute, the time is now to make the decision that could alter the future course of the franchise.
Like most decisions in professional sports nowadays, this one is going to come down to finances. Stoudemire is going to command a max contract when (if?) he opts out of his contract this coming summer, and if the Suns choose to not pay it some other team more than likely will. But is Stoudemire worth a max contract? Quite frankly, no. He is an unique talent to be sure, a virtually unstoppable offensive force, capable of posting up, attacking the rim, drawing (and converting) fouls or stepping outside and knocking down jumpers. Plus he and Steve Nash are arguably the best pick and roll combo in the League. But he is also a mediocre rebounder and defender for his position, has injury concerns to serious body parts (knees and eyes) and at age 27, with over 500 NBA games under his belt, his mold is probably set. He is what he is, and progress in his game will surely be minimal from here on out. In my eyes a max contract player better be a guy who can be a centerpiece for a championship team. As good as Stoudemire is (and he is All-NBA good), he is not the type of player who will lead you to a championship. Put in a secondary role, similar to Pau Gasol with the Lakers, and he would be a killer. But if you are paying a secondary guy max money, what will you have leftover for your primary star?
So the Suns are probably better off trying to trade STAT now rather than letting him walk in the offseason (assuming Stoudemire will opt out and insist on a max contract). They aren’t going to win a title with him as their focal point so dangle him out there and see what they can get. Try to get some young prospects and/or draft picks in return. The problem is teams are sensing that the Suns are getting desperate to unload him and will be trying to get him for cents on the dollar. But unless Phoenix thinks they can sign Stoudemire for cheap or that they will be able to engineer a sign and trade this summer, their hands are pretty much tied. But not as tied as they’d be if they were stuck with an overpaid Stoudemire in about 5 years time.
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