So Long Stoudemire! Suns Must Act On Portland’s Rumored Trade Offer

Reports suggest that the Portland Trail Blazers are hot on the trail for the Phoenix Suns available big man, Amare Stoudemire. CBS Sports has confirmed that the Blazers are willing to send a package of LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LaFrentz’s $12.7M expiring contract in exchange for the talented 26-year old 4-time All Star power forward. If this offer is on the table, there is no way the Suns can turn it down.

By Jason M. Williams

Sure, Amare is a big name who has delivered plenty of big numbers in his career thus far – but most of those numbers came under stat-inflating coach Mike D’Antoni. Plus, he’s a selfish guy who has been whining all season about his lack of touches while playing in a lineup filled with scorers. When looking at the details of this trade, there is no way the Suns could pass on two extremely young promising players at the two positions hardest to fill these days – power forward and point guard?

Aldridge is a beast in the paint with a great outside shooting touch, much like Stoudemire, but remember Aldridge is only 23 and has never had microfracture surgery, which Stoudemire has. Add the potential of Bayless, a guy with top-flight talent and the ability to score from either guard position at will, and boom – there is a package sweet enough for the Suns to say “so long” to their disgruntled power forward.

Throw in LaFrentz’ $12.7M that comes off the books after this season and the frugal Suns really would be the dumbest team in history not to take this offer. They do their favorite thing by saving tons of money next season and also get two great young future stars, all while ridding the locker room of an increasingly cancerous attitude. Really, the only question that comes to mind when hearing about this particular trade rumor is, “why on Earth would the Blazers do this trade?”