Havent posted here in a loooong time, but I have to offer my two cents. TRADE NASH, TRADE HILL. It's insanity to keep these guys around, since we have no chance of doing anything even if we make the playoffs.

To become a contender a team needs a talented core that is surrounded with role players. When making a trade it must be in the front office's minds that they need to slowly over time build a core. We have the role players already, and will have a number of them under contract for the next few years.

Trade Nash to a team that is a Steve Nash away from being a contender. There's 3 teams that I can think of that fit this bill. Memphis, Golden State, and New York. Golden State would have to be willing to part with Curry, and I'm not sure they would. And the only reason to trade him to New York would be to give New York title hopes. You wouldn't be getting squat back.

Why it should be Memphis

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=45tyrmo

OJ Mayo hasn't been given much of a chance to be the man in Memphis, but everything I've seen from the guy shows me he has some mad skills. This would be the beginning of the core. You would have a very formidable backcourt with Dragic and Mayo, that in a few years will be one of the best in the league.

For Memphis this move would likely vault them into the upper half of the Western Conference. Nash at the point with Rudy Gay as his swing man, and Gasol and Randolph down low? That's a sick squad.

Hill To New York

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4tlywk5

Grant Hill to New York would make more sense then Nash to New York. They are looking to rid themselves of Anthony Randolph, and I have no idea why. The kid has talent and could very well be another piece of the team's future core. Take a look

Warriors 2008-09 Highlights: Anthony Randolph (via GoldenStateWarriors)

He's got skills and was coveted by Warriors fans when he was there. But for whatever reason people end up in D'Antonie's dog house.

Of course, for the foreseeable future the Suns would be a lottery team, as the player's gain talent and become better. During this time we would lose some unwanted salary's, but we would also gain some players through the draft. Then maybe we can attract some free agents, because of our potential, much like we did with Nash in 04.

Maybe it is, but then again, free agency is only a month away. This off-season is almost gonna be a season in itself. So many things will change. The NBA landscape will be completely reshaped. I personally can't wait. Should be very entertaining. Someone should create a reality TV show that follows the would be free agents. That I would watch.

Regarding the Suns, there is already lots of talk about how their landscape will change. The most interesting idea i've heard thus far came from Bill Simmons. Basically his theory is that Amare opts out and signs with Miami (makes sense) . Then, (to make cap space) The Suns send LB to OKC for basically nothin in return (also makes sense; for both teams). Then we (with the help of Nash) convince Dirk to sign with the Suns. I love this idea. I'm not sure Dirk is a better player than Amare, that can be argued, but i think it does make the Suns better. You would still have the pickn roll of Nash/Lopez and you add the deadly clutch shooting of Dirk. If we lose Amare, i believe Dirk Nowitski is the only player that can save our Squad.

All I know is, I cant effin wait for the off-season to begin for the Association. I AM SO STOKED! Just a month away:)

I think a huge problem in today's day and age, with new information being thrown at us so fast, is that we tend to overreact to the most recent past. It seems that everyone now wants to ship Amar'e out of town. When, even just a year ago, we thought he could lead us to the promised land. Of course a lot has happened this year to make us question STAT, but before you jump on the Ship Amare Out bandwagon, pause, and try to remember the Power of Amar'e Stoudemire

Just went and ran a mock draft on ESPN.com and the results were pretty much what was expected. Suns got the 14th pick. All the other teams were essentially picking where they will, likely,  on draft day. And it had Brandon Jennings going to the Warriors with the 6th pick.

If you're not familiar with Jennings, he was the point guard last year that skipped college (UofA actually) to play in Europe. While his numbers in the Euro-league don't seem impressive, keep in mind they run their teams completely different then the NBA. They play less minutes, and rotate players a lot more. So numbers won't be as big for any player over there as they could be here. Here is what ESPN says about Jennings..

"Jennings is an explosive scoring point guard in the Gilbert Arenas mold. One play he'll dazzle you with a flashy pass. The next play he'll drain a 3-pointer on you. Then he'll blow by you for a dunk. His decision to skip college and play in Italy has been controversial, but there's no denying his skill."

So, here's my proposal. I know you guys are probably sick of me pushing this trade, but you need to understand the potential. Amare and our 14 to Golden State for Randolph, Biedrins, and their 6th (or whatever it is as long as it gets us Jennings).

I haven't read any Warriors blogs, so I can't tell you what their fans are saying, but after an emotional playoff run a couple years back, i imagine that their clamoring for a trade that brings them an All-Star who gets them back there. Amare's your man, Warriors fans. Proven scorer. Wants to be the man. Have him side-by-side with Jackson and Ellis, and you've got yourself a playoff team.

The Suns on the other hand, get back size, rebounds, athletisism, and youth. You have your future star PG in Jennings, learning under Nash for a year or two, and competing with Dragic. And you suddenly have speed to help with pick-n-roll defense in Biedrins. And Randolph. I think i've proclaimed my man-love enough for him on BSotS.

Pull this trigger Kerr and Mullins. Help both of your respective teams out.

The debate this summer will be whether  we keep the current roster, tweek the roster, or completely blow this mother up. Obviously we'll get a better idea of the Suns plans after the lottery and around the draft, but for fun I'd like present my ideas.

Steve Kerr is implying he wants to extend Nash. So, with that in mind. Here’s what we do…

1) PG- Have Nash play 25-30 minutes a game. Hard to argue that he still brings it offensively. We just need a 2 guard that can take over for Nash defensively against the point guards that give Nash fits. Dragic, with a year under his belt, should improve and be just fine as a backup.

2)SG-This would have to involve a lot of luck and a bad team biting on a bad trade. Trade J-Rich to Minnesota plus our pick, for their pick and whoever they want to send back. Move Barbosa to the starting position. He continues to improve defensively, and he’s quick enough to D up the faster point guards in the league.

3)SF- Re-sign Grant Hill. His value is unmeasured. He is truly one of the best players on the team. Also, it’s been mentioned on this site, that we should pick up Ron Artest. Couldn’t agree more. His defense is greatly needed. Then you can have Hill coming off the bench, and when Hill and Artest are on the floor at the same time , you can move Artest to the 2. Barnes will not be back.

4)PF- I say keep Amare, because there’s nothing like the Nash/Amare pick and roll offense. But, of course, they are one of the worst combos at defending the pick-n-roll. So in all likelyhood, Amare gets dealt. If Kerr trades him, i hope to god it’s the Anthony Randolph/ Andris Biedrins deal. Randolph is super-athletic and long, and I imagine the pick-n-roll with him and Nash would be pretty sweet. Biedrins is a mobile center who can move his feet to defend the pick-n-roll and has mad rebounding skills. This is the only deal that makes sense for the Suns. Then you can still have Dudley coming off the bench.

5)C- Dump Shaq on whoever will take him. I love the big guy, but he’s not needed here anymore. And Biedrins would do better for us anyways. As mentioned above, he’s a better rebounder and would help us with the pick and roll. Robin Lopez will also continue to improve, and should be a solid backup.

As far as our pick, i think our priority should be to get Hakeem Thabeet. Sure, that would leave us with 3 centers, but i feel like he is seriously someone we can build around.

So here’s my projected lineup:

PG-Nash/ Dragic
SG-LB/ Artest/ Tucker
SF-Artest/ Hill/
PF- Randolph/ Dudley/ Amundson
C-Biedrins/ Lopez/ Thabeet

I believe that this lineup could compete next year.

 Has anyone heard anything regarding the status of Amare? How far along he is with the recover? Can he see? Is his eye even still in his skull?  The Suns' future really depends on him. Whether we end up building around him, or trading him to get young, Stat must be healthy soon.

 I'd also like to make a point about the Suns future and Amare. Unless we can get Anthony Randolph in return, It's in the best interest of  this franchise to build around Amare. He's 26, in his prime, and ready to be the face of this team. I am very curious to see what he can do as the Man, again, assuming he's healthy.

                  So here it is. Reality has set in, and now we can all agree it's rebuilding time. While many of you may find this hard to deal with, I am personally excited. I like watching a team start young and gradually move up to elite status. Sure it takes a couple years, but I think that makes it worthwhile once we start winning again.
                 Now, we obviously must avoid becoming a Memphis or Clippers type of franchise, where there is never a rebuild, just a continuous suck. But look at the Blazers. A few years back they were an elite, they cleaned house, went young, and now look at em. Same with the Lakers and Celtics. So be patient folkes, and enjoy the ride! No where to go but up!

I'm interested in taking a look beyond this year, next year and all the way to the year 2011. I'm curious to know where everyone thinks we will be at that point. The general consensus is by then the Suns will be in rebuilding mode. Shaq will be long gone. As will Hill, Barnes, and most likely Nash. We don't draft the first round in the 2010 draft. Maybe we re-sign Stoudemire, maybe we don't. I wouldn't doubt that we eventually trade J-Rich (and hopefully keep LB). What do you guys think? Where do you envision this franchise in 2 years?