Fixing Phoenix

[Lucky17]

Steve Kerr has a lot of work to do this offseason, but at least he's realizing that he may have to blow it up:

http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2009/06/17/steve-kerr-were-not-championship-contenders/

He should do whatever he can to drive the price up for Shaq. If he can get Hickson from the Cavs, along with Wallace and Pavlovic as filler, he should take it.

I also think he has a shot at trading Amare to Washington for the #5 and expiring contracts (James, Haywood, and Pecherov). The Wiz have made it clear they will deal the pick for an impact player.

Lastly, the hard part: what to do with Nash. If Kerr can somehow trade Nash to get David Lee from the Knicks, Phoenix could at least start over with a core of young players like Lee, Barbosa, Lopez, Hickson, and a couple of incoming rookies, plus some cap room down the line.

[Who]

Kerr needs to start rebuilding -- he should keep two players, Amare and Barbosa -- and dump all other players that are not on rookie contracts.

The biggest key will be moving Jason Richardson.

Moving Shaq + Nash and picking up some other assets is a bonus but unnecessary, Kerr can sit on that if he wants.

[PosImpos]

I agree.  For Phoenix, it's keep Amare and Barbosa if at all possible and try to trade everyone else.  Start over with some younger pieces and see where it goes from there.

Also - when they rebuild, they have to decide first and foremost if they want to stick with the up-tempo run and gun style or if they want to transform into a more balanced defensive team.

[Lucky17]

In a perfect world, I think Kerr would prefer to build around Stoudamire and Barbosa.

But I wonder how strained the relationship between Amare and the franchise has become. Like Bosh with Toronto, I think the franchise will be plagued by constant questions of whether they will lose Amare for nothing when he has the opportunity to opt out of his contract.

[PosImpos]

Yeah, well, both Toronto and the Suns have missed the playoffs and had records that were much worse than they ought to have had considering the amount of talent they had on their teams.

That sort of imbalance between talent and success tends to breed unrest in the key players and I think it makes it difficult for the team to move forward without first proving there's a reason to stick around (by winning more).

[bobdelt]

I would dump Amare - he doesn't have the drive to lead a team and his injury is a huge question mark. Get the most value you can from the guy now, in case he comes back and can't play. He's got bad knees, and bad eyes, that's a horrible combo for someone whose game is built on athleticism.

When evaluating a player, I think the mentality and will to win, is grossly underestimated these days. I think Amare just cares about getting his points, and that's it. I would move him.

If I were them, I'd try to get Rondo, because I think he would thrive in the system Gentry is trying to bring back.

Shaq has to go obviously.

And I think Phoenix, is not the worst location to be in to sign free agents, it's certainly not Minnesota.

[Moranis]

They need to move Nash and Richardson.  I'd move Shaq if I got a decent young player in the trade (or a ton of salary relief this year).  I'd only move Amare if I got a very good young player back (like the Big Al & 6 rumored trade).  Barbosa doesn't do much one way or the other, so I'd move him in the right trade.

The reality is the Suns don't defend and that starts in the backcourt where they have big money tied up.  I suppose Richardson could be useful to the Suns if they had the right PG, but other than that they should make a move involving him.

[Lucky17]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59995/20090623/wizards_walk_away_from_proposed_amare_deal/#

The trade rumor:

Amare Stoudemire and the 14th overall pick to Washington for Nick Young or Javaris Crittenton, salary fodder and the 5th overall pick.

Phoenix wanted Caron Butler back, Washington said no. I still think a deal between the two teams gets done on draft night.

Ric Bucher on ESPN this morning was claiming that Shaq could (would?) be traded by Thursday. Shaping up to be a fun 48 hours leading into the draft.