SB Nation User Blog: Phoenix Stan

Reevaluating the Phoenix Suns off season options

Phoenix Stan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:22:53 -0000

Happy birthday America!

View full size photo uploaded July 4, 2009

Round about mid-May we took a look at five options for the Suns this summer and gave odds for each. Ranking Trade Shaq as the fourth option and giving it 10% odds might (might) not have been my finest moment as a keyboard GM.

Since May the Suns have let Shaq move along to the more royal confines of Cleveland and have come close to trading Amare to Golden State. A deal which is by no means completely dead although I would say it seems to be on life support at the moment with a Do Not Resuscitate order pinned to its gown. Given my track record that means it will be done by July 9th.

With the 14th pick, Steve Kerr and his sidekick David Griffin drafted Earl Clark (passing on the surprisingly still available Jrue Holiday) and in the second round took Other Brother Griffin and some Bosnian kid who was sold to the Cavs too fast for me to remember his name. More likely then not in three or four years we will all know his name just like Marcin Gortat who was drafted with the 57th pick and sold by the Suns in 2005.

And to drive the draft nail in a little deeper, the 2nd round pick the Suns traded to the Spurs to jump up and get Dragic turned into DeJuan Blair. I hate to wish for anyone's knees to implode, but for the sanity of all Suns fans it would be best if Blair doesn't have a good NBA career.

The free agency period started with a ~~bang~~ whimper as the the Pistons used all that cap space to land Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva; the Lakers swapped a young stud defender for an old crazy one that likes to dominate the ball; and the Clippers pulled off the trade of the summer by dumping Zach Randolph's $33m on the Grizzlies young locker room and got back the very serviceable Quentin Richardson and his expiring $8.7m contract.

The dust hasn't settled yet as Hedo was Trailblazer for a few hours until his wife found out and now he looks to be headed to the European Raptors. Gortat and Kidd seemed destined for the Mavericks and Carlos Boozer shocked the Wasatch Mountain faithful by staying with the Jazz.

That leaves a ton of big names still out there as of today including: Bass, Sheed, Milsap, Lee, Robinson, Childress, Felton, Miller, Bibby, Sessions, Zaza, Birdman, Marion, Iverson, Odom, Von Wafer (just calling him Wafer seems wrong), Gooden and the handful of bigs that the Suns are supposedly interested in: McDyess, Frye, Wilcox (who I love if we can get him cheap enough), Joe Smith and of course Mr. Grant Hill. oh, and don't forget Stephon Marbury.

With all that having gone down so far, here's a reevaluation and updating of the Suns options as of today, July 4th, 2009.

Oh, and Happy Birthday America! You don't look a day over 217!

Option 1 - Standing Pat

There's a great thing about the Standing Pat option, it is always available. No matter where you are, you can always decide that you've reached your (temporary) destination and stop moving forward. Sometimes it makes sense to take a break on your journey and fight with the Army you have and sometimes you must continue onwards. Knowing the difference between the two is why those guys in the glass offices on Washington St. in downtown Phoenix get paid the big dollars. Second guessing them is why this guy in his mother's basement gets paid squat.

In the original Standing Pat assessment I felt that the Suns were 70% likely to do nothing much this off season beyond trying to resign Grant Hill and the draft. Turns out that saving ~$11m by ~~trading~~ salary dumping Shaq was of a higher importance then I considered.

In retrospect this makes sense. Why not let Shaq go play in Cleveland and avoid paying him $21m to get in the way of whatever comes next. Sure, it would have been nice to get a little bit more out of him (like a 1st round pick) but that train has passed and in the list of things to get bent out of shape over, that ranks pretty low. Besides, between Wallace's potential buy out and Pavlovic's valuable contract the fruits of this deal are not yet known. But more on that later.

Right now anyway, Standing Pat mostly means resigning Hill, not trading Amare or Nash, hanging on to Wallace and waiving Sasha to save that $5.5m. With Amundson's team option picked up the only roster uncertainty is if Taylor Griffin makes the team. He can be signed for the rookie minimum but he could also be let go or traded for some other late round rookie if someone catches the Suns' eye in Vegas.

I am out of the odds making game, but my gut says that there's more moves to come before October.

Option 2 - Trading Amare

I feel like we've beat this horse to death and then ground up the meat and gave it to the dogs which were then feed to North Korean children as part of a UN famine prevention program. But here's some more gristle...

Amare to the Warriors for Biedrins and some other young folk - seems dead since Amare in a bit of fantastic irony feels like the Warriors are giving up too much to get him and therefor isn't interested in signing an extension or sign and trade to make the deal a go
Amare to the Bulls - this one has not been rumored anywhere except in my mind. I still like some combination of Tyrus Thomas, Jerome James insurance covered contract, and John Salmons. This is a deal that I can get behind if Amare can't be kept in Phoenix and Amare should be interested in Chicago and playing with Rose. So far though, I haven't heard even a whisper of this deal so you might as well not even consider it. Forget I even mentioned it. Wipe it from your mind. But I am not deleting the actual words preceding these.
Amare to who knows where but maybe the Celtics or Detroit or even Atlanta (despite there being no real good options for any of those)

Of course, not doing anything with Amare is also an option. The Suns reportedly will be meeting with Stoudemire in the coming weeks to discuss his future in Phoenix and perhaps resigning him to a decent contract is a the best option at this point. If Amare would agree to a ~$15m per year deal, that's probably fine. If he's still insisting on the max (~$20m) then we are right back where we were last February. I've said it many times and nothing has yet to change my mind that signing Amare to a bad contract is a bigger long term risk then trading him now for what might appear on the surface as less then fair value.

We'll just have to wait and see how bad teams want Amare and how highly Amare values Amare's worth.

Option 3 - Trading Nash

We hit this one pretty hard yesterday talking about Nash's desire to play in New York and the Suns (hopefully) desire to not over pay him for a three year extension.

I think it goes without saying that the Suns with Amare and Nash along with Richardson, Barbosa and some solid rotation players are a competitive team next season. The loss of Shaq (assuming no other center is acquired) will make the Suns once again highly vulnerable on the glass and in the paint but there's little question that if healthy, that group can put up some points and win a lot of games.

But without either Nash or Amare the team will be worse in the short term and this fact seems to tie the fates of Amare and Nash together.

Option 4 - Trade JRich

I am just going to paste in most of what I wrote back in May. Nothing's changed except that the Timberwolves need Richardson even more now then they did then when they had Foye and Miller. With Rubio staying in Spain for two years and rookie Flynn running the point a back court vet like Richardson makes more sense for Minnesota then any other deal I've seen in a long time.

Jason Richardson to me is the most movable. Not because there are teams banging down Steve Kerr's door to pay $28m over two years for a guy that has been exposed as being a poor defensive player who needs the ball (a lot) to be productive but because the Suns could most easily replace him next season.

In fact, I would argue that the Suns could be a better team with a defensive guard like Dahntay Jones, Anthony Parker or Thabo Sefolosha playing next to Nash then with Richardson.

There aren't too many teams I can think of that would really benefit from Richardson. The Timberwolves keep coming to mind as the best destination. They have inside presence with Jefferson and Love but are lacking any kind of reliable outside threat that can shoot and create. Foye is decent but young and inconsistent and now gone Adding Richardson makes the Wolves better and with 3 first round picks and a couple of contracts like ~~Mike Miller~~ Etan Thomas and Ryan Gomes a deal is possible.

The good news with Richardson is that he didn't cause problems with his lessor role on the Suns. He was by all accounts a decent enough team mate and if anything was too passive in the offense. If he can come back with improved on the ball defense and a better sense of when to be aggressive with his shot and when to defer he can still give the Suns plenty of production.

Unless I am missing something, the T-wolves still have about $8m in cap space which means they could trade Etan Thomas ($7m expiring) and maybe one young player like Pecherov or Wayne Ellington for JRich.

I still think this is a very doable trade that makes sense for both teams. I've said that a few times haven't I?

Option 5 - Free Agents/Other Trades

Assuming no other changes to the roster, the biggest needs for the Suns are small forward and center. This is why Grant Hill is a the team's number one priority and all indications are that he's going to return. But, I would not be surprised if Grant is looking at all this mess and wondering what the Suns are up to. Would he really want to come back to Phoenix if Amare or Nash are gone? He certainly could sign (probably for more money) in Boston, Denver or Cleveland.

To play behind (or ahead of) Lopez, the Suns are reportedly looking at McDyess, Channing Frye, Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. In my mind there's no question that Chris Wilcox is the best player of that bunch. He's Amare like in his athleticsm with more of Amare's tendencies to not play hard. I question that Wilcox would sign here for what the Suns would likely be able to pay. Maybe $2m? From there, I like Channing Frye. He is long and mobile and has some range with his mid-range shot. Mostly though he's young and I have no real interest in seeing McDyess or Smith come in an reprise the role Jalen Rose played at the end of his career.

The Suns do have (if they were so inclined to use it) the very tradable contract of Sasha Pavlovic that still could be used in a deal with a team more desperate then Phoenix to save money. Is there a guy out there for about $4m to $6m that the Suns really covet and is playing a for team not going anywhere? Sasha's contract could be used to grab him. Mostly likely this chip will be saved as long as possible to see how the various other dominoes fall. That's what I would do anyway and as you know you are getting all the best GM advise you are paying for on this blog.

Then finally there's still the option of trading Wallace to the Hornets for Chandler. Again, I think this is an option that can wait to see how everything else plays out. Some people argue that making this deal makes a lot of sense if Amare and Nash stay and I would agree with that. But what if Amare and/or Nash is gone? At that point do the Suns really want to bring in Chandler and his largeish contract for two more years? I doubt it. And of course no one outside of Wallace and hopefully Kerr know what Big Ben's plans for this season actually are.

Writing this has brought into focus just how interconnected all of the Suns options are. You can't say "trade Wallace for Chandler" without first knowing what you are doing with Amare. You can't consider a deal for Richardson until you know what's happening with Nash. Grant Hill is a key piece but like Nash seems to be waiting to see what everyone else does. It's a pretty complex picture and is no where near being resolved.

I think Nash is the first key piece and not Amare. If he gets extended for 3 years then you have that to build around for the short term and you have a guy that free agents are going to want to come play with. He needs to be the first domino to fall one way or another before everything else can fall into place.

To help make all of these interconnected options make more sense I've created an easy to follow visual aid...

It's no wonder Kerr looks like he's aged 10 years in the last six months.

If Kidd stays in Dallas, Nash goes to New York

Phoenix Stan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:02:47 -0000

More photos » by Thearon Henderson - AP

If Jason Kidd resigns with the Dallas Mavericks it could result in Steve Nash having shot his last jumper as a Phoenix Sun.

Browse more photos »

The reports out of New York (via Newsday) are that Jason Kidd is close to a decision that would keep him in Dallas for three more years (and $24m). He seems to be weighing a lesser offer from the Knicks that would also keep him closer to his ex-wife and three kids who live in the area.

The Knicks obviously need a point guard and just as obviously Steve Nash would love to play again for D'Antoni. Nash said again recently that if he can't come to terms with the Suns that he would consider a trade to the Knicks.

...the Victoria, B.C. native, who is heading into the final year of a contract that will pay him $13.1 million U.S. in 2009-10, acknowledged that if the sides can’t reach a consensus, "than a trade would always be a possibility." And if that’s the case, the point guard said he would like to play in New York, where his family spends its summers.

"I would preface it by saying that I love Phoenix and that’s what I’m focusing on right now," Nash said. "But I live in New York City, and I love it there, and [Knicks head coach] Mike D’Antoni was one of my favorite coaches. If it didn’t work out in Phoenix, obviously that would be a place I’d consider."

If Kidd does decide to stay in Dallas how might that influence Steve's willingness to deal with the Suns? He was obviously and openly frustrated last season at the hiring of Terry Porter and he reportedly told Steve Kerr that he wanted Shaquille O'Neal traded away.

I've never heard either of them (or anyone else) say anything about it, but one has to wonder how much Nash really wants to play for Steve Kerr and be part of a Suns rebuild. The Suns and Kerr for their part clearly want Nash to stay another three years but I doubt they are going to be willing to pay him the $13m+ per year he's asking for. Especially when Kidd is reportedly looking at $8m per year.

Kidd's decision could spell the end of the Nash era in Phoenix by freeing up a job with the Knicks.

Regardless of what Jason does or what Steve wants, the Suns could pick up Nash's option this year and keep him against his will. But if within a few weeks a deal isn't made for an extension then the better option is to trade him now.

Nash showed us last season that he's not going to play his best ball when he's unhappy and keeping him in Phoenix if he wants out would clearly be an uncomfortable situation.His trade value right now is also much higher then it will be next summer. Just like with Amare, if the Suns don't meet his demands for an extension then there is a huge risk in letting him walk for nothing.

Between Amare and Nash, right now Nash might even be of higher trade value to the right team. Of course, Amare is the more "valuable" player given his age and ability but Nash is a proven winner who's going to take a much smaller and shorter deal then Stoudemire.

If Nash wants to go to Knicks then the Suns should make that deal happen. They don't have a lot of great pieces to send back in return but certainly a resigned David Lee is an option along with Danilo Gallinari and a first round pick for next season (since the Suns don't have any of those). The problem there is no point guard coming back and a log jam at power forward. Maybe a three team deal that nets the Suns a point guard like Raymond Felton or perhaps the Knicks sign Bibby or Miller and them trade them for Nash.

The Suns without Nash would certainly take a huge step back next season but lets face it, if Nash doesn't want to stay three more years that's going to happen anyway. Might as well get as much value as you can right now and between Nash and the Knicks you have two very motivated participants in any negotiation.

Heck, I would take David Lee and Gallinari and then sign Allen Iverson for a year.

A must read Suns update from Paul Coro

Phoenix Stan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:39 -0000

A must read Suns update from Paul Coro

This one is filled with great stuff from the Suns leaning towards keeping Amare and potentially trading Nash if they can't extend him to Goran Dragic and the growth of his game (and hair).

Diana Taurasi reacts to DUI arrest

Phoenix Stan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:49:39 -0000

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi. July 1st, 2009. Photo by Max Simbron

View full size photo uploaded July 3, 2009

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi reacted for the first time publicly to news of her DUI arrest early Thursday morning.

"As part of the Phoenix community and the Mercury it's just something that's embarrassing and unfortunate for my family and for our organization. We'll have some other stuff to say later, but personally it's just a bad situation and I'm gonna have to do some things to make it straight. "

She was reluctant to say more given the on-going legal case.

The team had no comment on the situation only saying that Diana notified them immediately and that they are of course aware of the situation.

At this point, there is no indication that Taurasi will be suspended but that possibility remains should the organization or the league decide to go that route after receiving more information.

Just like when Jason Richardson was arrested (twice) last season, I have consistently never made a big moral issue out of these cases and I am not going to do so now. Of course, driving under the influence is not acceptable for anyone and yet people get busted all the time. I am not going to raise a big fuss when it is someone who is a public figure due to their role in sports. I don't hold sports figures to any different standard of public behavior then I hold anyone else and chances are if you get a DUI I won't be asking you about it and publishing your answer.

In other Mercury news, Coach Gaines said that center Nicole Ohlde is continuing to progress and is now available to play for five minute stretches. He is happy with her performance so far and looks for her to impact the game with her size. Looking forward to Sunday's match in LA against the Sparks, Gaines is anticipating that both Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker will play despite the Sparks saying that they won't.

The Mercury (7-4) are currently tied for first place in the West while the Sparks (3-5) are in 5th. The game is at 6:30 PST and will be broadcast on NBA TV.

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 07/03/09 1:30 PM MST ]

Looks like Parker is going to make her season debut against the Mercury Sunday.

Daily Links: Don't drink and link or Where the MLE gets you Polish Hammered

Phoenix Stan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:10:01 -0000

Sorry, I couldn't decide on a which title I liked better so I used both...

Link o'2am driving too fast in multiple lanes gets you pulled over and your blood drawn

Phoenix Mercury's Taurasi gets DUI citation

Is this the event that finally vaults Diana into the pantheon on great Arizona sports figures: Charles Barkley, Jason Richardson, Cliff Robinson, et al?

Suns (not much to see here...move along)

Nash remains confident of contract settlement - The Globe and Mail
NBA superstar Steve Nash remains confident that he will sign a contract extension with the Phoenix Suns this summer. But if an agreement isn’t reached, Nash said he would like to play for the New York Knicks.
Griffin eager for chance with Suns
The Suns waived a physical requirement for Wallace to complete the Shaquille O'Neal trade but plan to have one done on him in Phoenix or Cleveland next week in case he plays this season. - Interesting bit of Wallace news tacked on to this "Meet Taylor Griffin" article
Suns, 2 words on Amaré: Be careful
Paula Boivin warns of trading Amare....cites lots of trades gone bad. The question with Amare remains, do you make him your highest paid player for the next 5 or 6 yrs? It is not an obvious answer
An open letter to Cavalier fans | Phoenix Suns Community Blog - Fanster.com - Do you bleed deep purple?
I don't necessarily agree with this but it's a fun read

NBA Free Agency, etc

Note that both Gortat and Ariza seem to have been had for the MLE. Those seem to be reasonable contracts to me unlike Ben Gordon's overblown deal (5yrs / $60m) or the rumored $5yr/$60m that Toronto might throw at Hedo...Remember when Gordon was looking foolish for turning down $50m from the Bulls and then he hit a few shots in helping his team lose in the first round and now he's getting $60m? Good to know that sanity hasn't completely taken over the NBA...and of course there's the Grizzlies taking on 2yrs and $33m of Zach Randolph to be the "veteran presense" on that otherwise young and interesting team.

HoopsHype - NBA Rumors
Artest to the Lakers for 3yrs / $18m. Ariza to the Rockets for the MLE. Gordon and Charlie V to the Pistons. Gortat to Dallas. Marion could stay in Toronto. Hedo looking at Portland and Toronto. Iverson to the Grizz or Heat. Kleiza waiting. Bibby could stay in the ATL. Kidd to the Knicks(?)....it's been a typically busy first few days of the free agency period.
Suicide lines: Celtics offer 'Sheed deal; Iverson to the Heat? - Ball Don't... - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
More free agency links and such
Hardwood Paroxysm " Blog Archive " Just Add Fire
I was going to write an entire piece on why Artest was a bad fit in LA and why Ariza is the better player for Houston..Rob Mahoney did it for me
Report: Ricky Rubio will stay in Spain for two more years - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Does this make the T-wolves dumb for drafting him or dumb for not trading him to the Knicks or wicked smart for drafting him and not trading him to the Knicks. The kid is only 18. A couple more years in Spain isn't going to hurt and at some point he's going to want to come play here and the Wolves will have traded Miller and Foye to own his rights (plus they got a few bigs in return from the Wiz).

Other

WNBA.com: 2009 WNBA All-Star Balloting
The Mercury are killing it in the all-star balloting. Go vote for the home town girls
SUNS: Suns and Mercury Both Shine on Wednesday Night
"I’m scouting a little bit," Griffin laughed. "I really want to find a way to get (Mercury rookie) DeWanna Bonner onto our Suns roster. She’s been impressive."
Avery Johnson frontrunner for Pistons job
No comment

Exclusive Photo's: Mercury vs. Storm pt 2

Phoenix Stan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:58:50 -0000

Amare Stoudemire and Robert Sarver chat at the Phoenix Mercury game. Wonder what they are talking about? Photo by Max Simbron. July 1, 2009

View full size photo uploaded July 2, 2009

Look who came to the Mercury game on Wednesday...Earl Clark, Taylor Griffin, Goran Dragic, Robin Lopez and Amare Stoudemire...

Game photo's after the jump...

WNBA: Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury 070109 - Images by Max Simbron

Daily Links: Short on links, long on linkages (?)

Phoenix Stan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:05:56 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

The Grizzlies basically traded Pau Gasol for Zach Randolph. Epic GM fail.

Browse more photos »

Not that there's a lack of things going, just a lack of time to link to all of them...

Ultimate Standings 2009 - No. 86 - Phoenix Suns - ESPN
Just remember that this was written by an LA Lakers blogger...and my quote was from like December
July Fireworks: Zach Randolph traded - Clips Nation
Wow. Just when you think GM's around the league can't get any dumber...The Grizzlies use all that cap space to bring Zach Randolph. WTF? Why not sign a decent free agent PF? Make David Lee or Paul Milsap or Brandon Bass an offer. Those guys won't put up 20 and 10 but they also won't destroy your locker room
How a Lower Luxury Tax Could Kill 10 NBA Teams -- NBA FanHouse
A work of art...
Basketball Prospectus | Articles | Free Agency 2009
Here's how you break down free agents...wow
WNBA.com: 2009 WNBA All-Star Balloting
The Mercury are killing it in the all-star balloting. GO VOTE NOW!!

Sun's Summer League Roster

Phoenix Stan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:41:09 -0000

Sun's Summer League Roster

I will have more on this later, but it is interesting to note that the Suns will be able to start five guys from the big league club this year: Lopez (C), Clark (PF), Griffin (SF), Tucker (SG), Dragic (PG). It should be fun!

Mercury vs Storm: The Rematch

Phoenix Stan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:20:42 -0000

The Mercury look to slow down Lauren Jackson and the Seattle Storm tonight in Phoenix

View full size photo uploaded July 1, 2009

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 07/01/09 10:00 PM MST ]

Looks the Mercury pulled off a great 90-76 win with a late surge. Wow, I am sorry I missed this one.

Btw - I have it on good authority that Amare, Robin Lopez, Earl Clark and Taylor Griffin were at the game. I will have exclusive photos to post sometime tomorrow.

The Storm come back to Phoenix tonight for a rematch of the 93-84 defeat Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird handed to the home team.

Since that time, the Mercury have gone on the road and lost two of three games with a win over the Eastern Conference leading Washington Mystics being sandwiched between a close lose to the San Antonio Silver Stars and a blow out at the hands of the Minnesota Lynx.

With the toughest stretch of the schedule over, the Mercury (6-4) find themselves in 3rd place in the West behind #1 Minnesota (7-3) and #2 Seattle (6-3).

That all makes tonight's game against the Storm as close to a must win as you can have 30% through the season. The Mercury should be well rested after their though stretch and will be highly motivated after the blowout Saturday and the defeat to their conference rivals a few weeks ago.

Once again, the Mercury will be at a disadvantage in the paint but this time will have more floor time for Nicole Ohlde who should be able to give around 15 minutes tonight. Beyond that, Taurasi and team need to keep their cool and play hard for 48 minutes. It sounds simple, but these are two teams that play very different styles and the team with the most energy usually will be able to impose it's will.

I will be on an airplane headed home to Phoenix tonight and will miss the game but I will put up some kind of recap tonight.

Here's the Yahoo! Sports preview of tonight's game.

Daily Link: Dear NBA fans, your life is great don't waste it

Phoenix Stan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:53:45 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Steve Kerr and new Suns rookie Earl Clark react to a question about the importance of precision shaving

Browse more photos »

Link o'Day

Michael Jackson Fans are Committing Suicide
Please friends, whatever you do promise me that if Amare is traded you won't go this route. Life is too precious (and hilarious) to give up on

Suns

KTAR.com - Suns exercise team option on Amundson
Stay golden Pony Boy
Hill's No. 1 on Suns' free-agent list
Hill's first but then some other interesting and surprising names come up...McDyess? Joe Smith? Channing Frye? Chris Wilcox!!!
The Official Phoenix Suns Blog " Blog Archive " Suns to Begin Search for Free Agents
From the Suns....I wonder how much of this is just smoke? I can't see the Suns signing any of these guys to anything more then a minimum contract. If they do sign a vet big man that is a strong sign that Ben Wallace will agree to a buy out..something we don't know but Kerr must
BDL story time: 'The Power Forward Who Tweeted Trades' - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Yup...that's our Amare
Amare attempts to be Shaq, forgets to be funny | Phoenix Suns Community Blog - Fanster.com - Do you bleed deep purple?
Best blog title ever (or at least this week)
Hardwood Paroxysm " Blog Archive " Podcast Paroxysm: Matt Done Pissed Off The Wolves Fans
I visited Matt Moore at HP for chime in on the podcast about all things Suns. Fun stuff (unless Matt edited out the part where I called him a flaming idiot)
Deseret News | Cummard, Nevill set for NBA Las Vegas summer leagues
Former BYU guard/forward Lee Cummard has accepted an invitation to play for the Phoenix Suns Summer League team ....look out Vegas!
KTAR.com - The similarities between Amare and the Suns
The Suns are a team in transition and one that is ready to rebuild. Steve Kerr said so on draft night -- more than once. Who is the center piece of the rebuilding process? It's 35-year-old Steve Nash, the point guard they plan to sign on for more years...yup, that's the plan
Suns have to trade Stoudemire | Voices | eastvalleytribune.com
Nice rant about needing to get rid of Amare...but why can't the online version of a newspaper include a link? Is it so hard to include a link to a source? Answer: No.
Two sources: Stoudemire has little interest in coming to the Warriors | Talking Points
I love this. Amare doesn't want to go to the Warriors b/c he feels they are giving up too much to get him. The irony abounds...

NBA Free Agency

NBA Rumors - InsideHoops.com
Free agency rumors page...have fun
HoopsHype - NBA Rumors
another great rumor page...
SportingNews.com - The Baseline
Another list of free agents
DETNEWS | Weblogs | Pistons Blog
Two former Pistons assistants became head coaches at the beginning of last season. Both have now been fired.
Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Boozer not opting out of contract
This is a surprise...only the first of many to come
Larry Bird Building Pacers With An Eye Toward The Future - Indy Cornrows
But then I started hearing some, not a lot, but some comments on the radio and reading a few things on the web that insinuated that Larry Bird was a racist and his priority in running the team was to amass as many white players as possible, regardless of talent. And these people were serious, which ended up being funnier than any of the actual jokes I've heard.
Ariza's Value as a Role Player is Greater Than Fading Stars of Free Agency
I couldn't agree more
Leon Powe is Unemployed - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
What does it say when a player like Leon Powe, a great human being, who played through injury and pain for three straight years for the Boston Celtics, including in a playoff game after tearing his ACL, is rewarded by the team saying to him "we only have a short window to win, and you are not a part of our plans because you are now injured."....ouch

Other

You Know Who Loves The Springfield Armor? Ron Chimelis, That's Who - Ridiculous Upside
The Springfield Armor are the newest D-League franchise. Is the Armor name the new hotness, or just another foul up?
All-Star Balloting: Join the Write in Sancho Lyttle Movement!
WNBA all star voting is wrought with controversy leading to a powerful write in movement! Free Sancho! btw - the Mercury play the Storm at home tonight in what should be a great and pivotal rematch. I will be on an airplane unfortunately and will miss the game :(