SB Nation User Blog: RGreyslak

Robin Lopez undergoes surgery on broken fifth metatarsal in left foot

RGreyslak — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:44:42 -0000

Roben Lopez undergoes surgery on broken fifth metatarsal in left foot

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Robin Lopez undergoes surgery on broken fifth metatarsal in left foot

This sucks now they really need a big man, how long is the recovery for this???

Does anyone know who is available to temporarily fill the role? This is a huge setback, what is the Suns next move?

This sounds like a major injury he's suffered, it's hard for those guys that large to keep their feet healthy, just like Yao Ming. Hope this doesn't become a major problem.

What does everyone think?

The Phoenix Suns are not the worst defensive team in the NBA

RGreyslak — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:47:29 -0000

In a recent article released by Dime Magazine they claimed the Suns were the worst defensive team in the NBA.

http://dimemag.com/2009/09/the-phoenix-suns-are-the-worst-defensive-team-in-the-nba/

It is not a fair assumption to call the Suns out as the worst defensive team in the NBA next season. They never have been known for their defensive ability as a team but have been slowly putting pieces in place that will play defense. Some of the Suns younger players might actually become strong defenders in the league over the next couple of years.

There have always been the open holes defensively on the Suns roster. One of the biggest is Steve Nash, he gets substantially worse defensively each year and every point guard in the league gets giddy at the thought of going head to head with him. He can’t stop anybody off the dribble but has always been good at getting where he needs to be on the court to take the charge. Jason Richardson should be traded so Leandro Barbosa can start. He has never been a good defender and doesn’t really show the drive to become any better. Grant Hill is not getting any younger and Channing Frye has never showed the potential to be a strong defender. Even with some of these players on their roster it is not enough for them to already be considered the worst defensive team in the NBA.

They have several young players and a few wild cards on the team this year that could put forth a strong defensive effort for the team this year.

Goran Dragic looked great in euro league play this summer. He is a quick physical defender that just needs to continue to build more confidence. Nash will need a lot of rest to stay healthy this season and Dragic could benefit greatly from that if he can step up. There is a strong chance that you will see a great improvement in Dragic this season.

(great block on Rubio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jH4wRfkKZE )

Jared Dudley the junk yard dog is a scrappy defender and rebounder who is willing to hustle and do everything else on the court that the other players don't want to do. He is not the most athletic guy in the league but he knows where to put himself on the court to get those big rebounds and second opportunities for his team. He is committed to winning and playing defense. Grant Hill is a season older and will also need substantial rest to stay healthy this year. Dudley could see some big minutes and remind Suns fans why he was included in the trade that sent away Belland Diaw.

Robin Lopez is going to surprise some people this year. Shaq is no longer the dominate center on the team and he wants to be that defensive presence. He has the size to be a great rebounder and shot blocker. Suns fans are going to see a huge defensive commitment this year from Lopez. He is going to fill that void left by trading Shaq and intimidate players from driving in the lane. He will be up there in the rebound and shot block averages and remind everyone why the Suns used him as their lottery pick last year.

Lou Amundson is also like Dudley, a tough nosed hustler willing to do what it takes to pull down the boards and get the blocks. Amundson quickly became a fan favorite last year for his defense and hustle. Whenever he is on the floor he is disrupting the lane, blocking shots, and pulling down boards. Depending on how much playing time Lou can get he could be a substantial defensive stopper for the Suns this year.

The Suns also have a few wild cards that could give them some defensive presence this season.

Wild Card 1 Earl Clark

Clarkis an athletic hybrid forward player. He is quick enough to defend smaller players on the perimeter and also strong enough to bang under the basket with the stronger power forwards. Depending on how much playing time he get's he could be one of the top rookie defenders this year. He is committed to defense and to being an all-star in the league it all depends on how many minutes he get’s to see. He can definitely be a strong defensive presence for the Suns off the bench this year.

Wild Card 2 Amare Stoudemire

Now I know what you are immediately thinking, Amare Stoudemire defensive wild card? Amare Stoudemire has always been left out of the premier league player’s category because he has no commitment to anything that doesn’t involve scoring points. But keep in mind, contract year. He will be motivated for that max money to show he is worth it. He has taken a lot of heat here locally for his lazy defense. Everyone knows if he committed, he could be great. This might be the year that Amare Stoudemire turns his career around to become a better all around player. This could be the season where we see some maturity and commitment from him and drive to show he wants to be the best. Kevin Garnett wasn’t always the defender he is today. He turned his game around and one point and became one of the greatest defensive players in the league today. It just takes maturity and commitment from someone who is already a great player.

Wild Card 3 Leandro Barbosa

His defense had improved greatly last season before his injury. LB is not a lock down defender but is one of the fastest guards in the league and can move his feet to stay in front of a player. He also developed the ability last year to start reading the passing lanes and getting to the right place to get steals. He looked much better defensively last season and I think we could be surprised at what he can do this year. If it was not for having to share minutes with Jason Richardson you could see LB towards the top of the list for steals averages this year. He is a great player and needs to be taken out of the shadows in Phoenix.

The Suns certainly are not the best defensive team in the league but are far from the worst. They have a young core of players that could develop into strong defenders as well as a few other players that might surprise a few this season.

Phoenix Suns pursuing free agent Lamar Odom?

RGreyslak — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:51:12 -0000

The Phoenix Suns according to the LA Times are among the teams pursuing free agent Lamar Odom.

According to the LA times ( http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-kobe-bryant1-2009jul01,0,5024600.story )

The Phoenix Suns are among the teams interested in signing free agent Lamar Odom?

Lamar Odom is apparently in high demand by several teams. He is a versatile power forward that can guard multiple positions and passes and handles the ball extremely well for a forward. Lamar is known for being an inconsistent player but when he shows up, he can be the X factor for a team's chances of winning. He is reportedly interested in about $10 million per year for 3 to 4 years.

This is the first I have heard of this so I don't know if it's true or just another crazy rumor?

Poll

Would Lamar Odom be a good pickup for the Suns ?

Yes he would help the team get closer to a championship

58 votes

No the price of $10 million per year is not worth it

76 votes

134 votes | Poll has closed

Where does Grant Hill fit into the Phoenix Suns plans?

RGreyslak — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:29:05 -0000

Grant Hill has been a model teammate and stable defensive presence for the last two years, but with the Suns in some sort of rebuilding process where does Grant Hill fit into their plans?

Steve Kerr is in Orlando today meeting with Grant Hill hoping to sign the veteran and convince him to finish his career as a Phoenix Sun. Grant Hill has stated he is interested in returning to the Suns, but realizes this is his last chance at an NBA contract and is hoping for a 2 year deal. The Suns have used Hill’s services at a discounted rates the last two years, estimating at a little less than a combined $4 million.

In Phoenix, Hill has resurrected his career due to the Suns' amazing medical training staff. Hill suffered from multiple injuries before his time in Phoenix. Last year he put up his best numbers in the past few years and was actually healthy enough to play all eighty two games. Hill averaged 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 52.3 percent from the field for the Phoenix Suns.

There are several teams interested in acquiring Grant Hill. Most of them are championship contending teams unlike the Suns, and can also offer Hill more money. Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are rumored to be pursuing him along with Kerr and the Suns.

Grant Hill has shown exceptional leadership qualities with the Suns over the past two years. Even through all the team turmoil he was not one of the players who gave up. Especially last year, he played his heart out for a failing team and always tried to pull his teammates together for the win. It is obvious that his best years are behind him but he still has the ability to put up good numbers for any team. He was arguably the most consistent player for the Suns last year. He was the best defender as he guarded multiple positions throughout the season trying to make up for the rest of the teams defensive inconsistencies.

The Phoenix Suns are obviously in change mode and have realized that as constructed they are not a championship contending team. The best option for them is to start getting younger, more talented players and commence the rebuilding process. With the Suns in rebuild mode you ask yourself, where does Grant Hill at 36- years- old, and at the end of his career fit into this scheme?

Grant has been a model teammate and locker room guy throughout his career. He never outs his teammates or publicly criticizes them for their on court problems. Instead, he has always been a leader on all the teams he has played for and set’s a great example for the younger players to follow. Having Grant Hill in the locker room teaches the younger players exactly how they should act by example. He is a great leader and would be a huge benefit on any team in the league.

So now Suns fans are left wondering if Grant will be back to finish his career as a Phoenix Sun or if he will leave the team for a championship contender.

Check the Suns web blog for

Up to date news and honest opinions all news related to the Phoenix Suns

http://www.nbabasketballonline.com/phoenixsuns/weblog

Poll

Should the Phoenix Suns sign Grant Hill for the next two years?

Yes he is a great guy to have on the court and in the locker room

53 votes

No they are in rebuilding mode and do not need a 36 year old signed for two more years

9 votes

62 votes | Poll has closed

Shaq traded to Cleveland for financial relief ... Kerr you lied to us!

RGreyslak — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:07:32 -0000

Today the Suns traded Shaquille O'neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for nothing more then financial relief from this years salary cap.

In a blockbuster deal for the Cleveland Cavaliers they have acquired future hall of fame center Shaquille O’Neal from the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have agreed to send Shaq to the Cavaliers for Ben Wallace($14 million dollar expiring contract, potential buyout), Sasha Pavlovich ($4,950,000 non guaranteed expiring contract), the Cavs second round pick, and $500,000.

Shaquille O’Neal played about a season and a half with the Suns and completely re-vitalized his career. He put up his best numbers in years and stayed healthier than he has been able to the few previous seasons due to the magical medical staff of the Suns. However this only looked good from the outside. He sat the majority of double header games out except for towards the end of the season when they were desperate to make the playoffs and constantly in interviews referred to his touches and what he could do for the team if they work the offense through him.

The first day when he was here in Phoenix and announced locally in the arena at the Suns game he stood up and pointed to his ring finger insinuating that he was bring a title to AZ. Because after all, that is what Shaq says he does, wins titles. Just not here in Phoenix. Shaq has burned many bridges with every team he has left from Orlando, LA, Miami, and now the Phoenix Suns possibly? How will fans feel about his quick departure and lack of wins or a championship to show for it?

Many fans were very bitter about the original trade that brought in Shaq for Shawn Marion two seasons ago. Marion was a fan favorite and crucial piece to the Suns success due to his defensive ability and athleticism. The Suns franchise hoped that the Shaq trade would bring in the missing piece and finally allow them to get past the San Antonio Spurs and compete for a title. As we all know this deal did not work out exactly the way the team had hoped and instead put an end to an exciting style of play called the "run and gun". It brought the offense to a stand still and did nothing but clog up the middle for Steve Nashand Amare. It actually made the Suns worse defensively because of Shaq’s slow speed, he is completely unable to guard the pick and roll not to mention the hack-a-Shaq routine where he would repeatedly go to the free throw line and miss his shots. This created many changes of possession for the Suns that really hurt them down the stretch.

The next question is how does this trade make Cleveland better? Sure you have a great potential story line for next years playoffs with Kobe and Pau vs. Lebron James and Shaq. Can’t you see all the commercials and media endorsements that will come from this? David Stern probably had a side deal with Sarver for this one, You give shaq to Cavs and I will fix the draft for you next year ... Some sort of deal had to have taken place right?

What Clevelandhas failed to realize is that this is not a good deal for their team. Sure it gives them a much stronger inside presence and a tough guy that can foul the !@#$ out of anyone who crashes to the basket. But it makes them a much less effective defensive team in guarding the pick in roll or guarding any center that can spread the floor. One of the great things the Cavaliers had working for them was their chemistry. With Zydrunas Ilgauskas the current starting center, the Cavs can spread the floor to make room for Lebron James to take his defender to the rim. Big Z could stand out about 20 feet, wait for James to hit him with the pass and drop the jump shot. Do you see Shaq hitting 20 foot jump shots for this team? I sure don’t. He will create a dominant post up presence but do the Cavs really need that? Isn’t James a better post player then Shaq? What small forward can guard James posting up on them? There will also be the issue of who’s team is it? Even with Lebron James MVP of the league on his team can’t you see Shaq demanding more touches if he is not getting his points? This could be a disaster deal for Cleveland and we will have to wait to find out what happens.

So as a Suns fan you ask yourself, how does this trade make the Suns better? Short answer, it does not. We were told repeatedly by Suns owner Robert Sarver and Steve Kerr that the team would not trade away their assets for financial reasons. Everything included in this move points to nothing but financial freedom. Neither Wallace nor Pavlovich will help this team next year. All signs lead to a buyout with Wallace and a non-guaranteed contract for Pavlovich. What if Ben Wallace will not accept a buyout, then the Suns will be stuck with his large salary and a player that can contribute less for the team then Shaq did. A few years ago this might have been a good trade but for the last couple years Ben Wallace has played worse each season and is steadily declining. He has also had a lot of injury issues late is his career and has struggled to stay on the court. He was nothing more then a bench warmer in Cleveland during this years playoffs. The second round pick that they are acquiring more than likely will not lead to any star player being selected. Then there is the little $500,000 bonus attached to the deal. This has financial freedom written all over it.

Unless the Suns are tracking a free agent this year, this deal makes no sense for the rebuilding Suns. They get nothing in return that they would not have expiring anyways. They were better off keeping Shaq and letting his contract expire next season in the biggest name free agent frenzy we have seen in years.

So in the first of hopefully many of the Suns rebuilding trades, Steve Kerr and Robert Sarver have lied to Suns fans and traded Shaq away for nothing more than financial relief. This trade in no way makes the Suns a better team. Hopefully the franchises next trade will actually benefit the team, not set it back.

Check the Suns web blog for

Up to date news and honest opinions all news related to the Phoenix Suns

http://www.nbabasketballonline.com/phoenixsuns/weblog

Poll

Does this trade benefit the Suns in any way?

Yes more trades on the way and the Suns organizations knows what they are doing

29 votes

No this trade was made for nothing more than financial relief

71 votes

100 votes | Poll has closed

Are the Phoenix Suns trading away another draft pick?

RGreyslak — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:03:24 -0000

Are the Phoenix Suns going to trade away another draft pick?

The Phoenix Suns have been known for their draft day blunders throughout the last few years. Some picks the team have given up are Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trailblazers, Rajon Rondo of the Championship winning Boston Celtics, Luol Deng of the Bull or Andre Iguodala who was also available with Deng’s pick, and Marcin Gortat just to name a few. They are known for trading their draft picks for cash which has led the franchise to where it is today. The previous coach and General Manager Mike D’Antoni had no interest in playing rookies or draft picks and this has ultimately hurt the franchise in the long run without ever rewarding them with a championship. They are now stuck with one foot in and one foot out of the rebuilding door with virtually little young talent to build off and only large contract tradable assets.

With the Suns history over the past few years and all the disheartened fans would you ever think that they would trade this year’s 14th pick away? This is the newest rumor circulating around the Suns that most NBA insiders claim is not fading away.

The Suns are rumored to be in discussion with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now before you get too excited and think the Suns are looking for one of their young studs or their top draft pick think again. This move actually would give the Thunder the Suns 14th pick in this years draft in exchange for their 25th overall pick and return the Suns their unprotected draft pick for next season. There are many people who did not even realize that the Suns gave up next years unprotected first round pick to the then Seattle Supersonics as virtually a throw in to shed themselves of Kurt Thomas’s contract. Another bad decision solely based on financial restrictions.

On the surface this deal could upset many fans in leading them to believe they are throwing away another draft pick. However, with a deeper look the signs that this deal would lead to could ultimately give Suns fans what they have been asking for all summer.

The Suns have stated they are not completely in love with any of the players that would more than likely be available to them with the 14th selection. Some of these rumored players that the Suns are interested in include Earl Clark, Austin Daye, James Johnson, and even Brandon Jennings. But the real studs they like probably would not be around at 14. They have expressed interest in some other players though that could be available later in the draft that could turn out to be as good or better then anyone selected at 14. This draft is so deep with players after the first few picks that it is very difficult to gage who could be a star and who could be a bust. If the Suns could get someone at 25 that they feel has as much potential to be a star as a player at 14 they might take that deal, provided that some great player does not miraculously slip down the draft to them.

The other great part of this deal is that by returning the unprotected draft pick for next year that they foolishly gave up could help prevent any worries of beginning to rebuild this team and not making the playoffs again next year. Could you imagine if the team started to rebuild this season or kept the same team and performed even worse next year? The only benefit to a lousy season in the potential lottery pick you can receive. If the Suns had a sub par season and didn’t get to benefit from the draft pick it could be devastating to the fans well as the franchise. The good part about making this deal is it allows the team to stop putting off the inevitable in fear of giving up a lottery pick for next season.

If the Suns do pull of this deal don’t expect it to happen until they confirm that one of the players they like doesn’t slip down to the 14th selection. If nobody is there don’t be surprised to see it happen. The other good sign to this trade to most Suns fans is the fact that the owner might finally be acknowledging the team needs to be rebuilt. If they retain their pick there would be nothing to hold them back. They could make all the moves they wanted to this season with out fear of giving up that first unprotected pick next year.

The only real way this move makes sense for the Suns is if they are now ready to make trades for some of their larger assets. Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Richardson, and Steve Nash have all been considered potential trade assets the Suns can use to rebuild with. Steve Kerr has expressed his interest in holding onto Steve Nash and even extending his contract. This would not make sense with the Suns in rebuild mode and Steve Nash does not want to play for a team in that position. This would be a great opportunity for the Suns to make moves now and put themselves in a position to compete with the better teams of the future.

With the Spurs acquiring Richard Jefferson yesterday and still keeping there big 3, as well as the Lakers, Nuggets, and Rockets being as good as they are the Suns are nowhere near ready to compete with these teams. There is no reason to put off the inevitable anymore when you can become proactive in rebuilding your team. Otherwise they will be stuck with the possibility of having another bad year and a team of veterans that are one more year older. The only benefit to letting any of those players fall off the books would be getting someone in free agency but you can’t be sure that you could actually lure a big name player to the valley. Why take that chance if you can use those pieces now to substantially improve your franchise for the future? Most fans have been begging for the Suns to make this decision and if they do decide to make a draft day trade with Thunder it could start this process without fear for the team.

Check the Suns web blog for

Up to date news and honest opinions all news related to the Phoenix Suns

http://www.nbabasketballonline.com/phoenixsuns/weblog

Poll

Do you see the benefit of this deal for the Phoenix Suns?

Yes it will help give the team confidence in the rebuilding process

78 votes

No it's another situation where the Suns are giving up another draft pick and potential future allstar

121 votes

199 votes | Poll has closed

Could the Phoenix Suns draft Brandon Jennings?

RGreyslak — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:44:28 -0000

Brandon Jennings has been all over the headlines lately and previously assumed one of the top ten picks of the draft, could he possibly fall to the Phoenix Suns?

The Phoenix Suns have invited several possible draft prospects to come in for workouts today including Earl Clark of Louisville, Austin Daye of Gonzaga, and Brandon Jennings of Italy. Clark and Daye are very athletic forward / small forward type players that can create major defensive problems for teams. Brandon Jennings plays the point guard position.

Brandon Jennings was made famous for his decision to skip college basketball and play professionally in Italy for one year. If this works out for him we could see a new trend with some younger players skipping college and going to Europe for a few million dollars before entering the NBA draft. The initial mock drafts had Jennings being drafted in the top ten. Lately he has slipped further down the draft board and could possibly be available with the 14th pick for the Phoenix Suns. The reason many are speculating that he has begun to fall in the mock drafts is because of his choice to not play college basketball. Playing a year of college basketball would have given him the showcase to show all of his skills and help him secure himself as a lower draft pick. When he played in Italy he struggled in limited playing time and never was able to show what he could do. This decision could inevitably impact which number he is drafted at next week.

Through discussions with the point guard it is obvious that he wants to be a great point guard in this league. He prides himself on his on ball defense as well as his speed and amazing passing ability. He is a bit flashy now and gambles on defense to acquire steals but his potential could be limitless. He was also recently in the spot light for calling out the Spain sensation Ricky Rubio. Jennings stated that Rubio was all hype and he could not wait to face him in the NBA to prove his point. Rubio is projected by many as the top point guard in the draft. Is Jennings all talk or is he ready to really make a splash into the NBA and prove all the teams that passed him up how bad of a decision they made. Many NBA executives have admitted that he has learned a lot in short amount of time and is a very coach able player which can be hard to come across now with all the ego’s some of the young players can carry with them.

If the Suns do decide to draft Jennings it could essentially create a log-jam at the point guard position. Last year the Suns drafted Goran Dragic. He initially struggled under new coach Terry Porter and was never really given the time to make mistakes and develop. Once Porter was out and current head coach Alvin Gentry was approved we started to see some of the potential for Dragic that the Suns organization had seen prior to drafting him. But the Suns are not yet sold he is the point guard of the future for the team. There is not enough playing time to keep Steve Nash happy and develop both of the Suns guards if they decided on Jennings for the 14th pick.

Steve Nash, the returning starting point guard is essentially holding the organization hostage with his demands. The Suns have publicly stated they want to extend Nash’s contract and keep him around so that he can retire as a Sun. Nash will not sign a contract extension until he gets a glimpse of what the roster will look like when the season starts.

He only wants to play for the Suns if they are a championship contending team. (not sure what planet Nash is on) If the Suns were to bring back the team from next season with a few tweaks here and there they will still not be a championship contending team. I think that is obvious to everyone except Steve Nash. That core will never get them a championship so it is time to rebuild. Steve Nash wants no part of a rebuild.

The fans have asked for it and deep down the owner and GM know its time but Steve Nash is only further delaying the inevitable. Plain and simple, rebuild this team to compete with the teams of the future like Portland and Oklahoma City. Start to build the team with young talent that can focus on defense and are willing to do anything it takes to prove they can win at the NBA level. Steve Nash can still be a championship caliber point guard but only with the right cast of players around him and the Phoenix Suns do not have that. The Suns should focus on drafting the best talent available with their pick and not look to fill a specific need. In all actuality the Suns have holes everywhere in their roster with over the hill veterans that have limited time left.

If Brandon Jennings is still on the board at 14 it would be a very wise decision for the Suns to draft him and not screw up another year of bad draft day decisions.

Check the Suns web blog for

Up to date news and honest opinions all news related to the Phoenix Suns

http://www.nbabasketballonline.com/phoenixsuns/weblog

Poll

Should the Suns draft Brandon Jennings if he is still available at 14?

Yes, he could turn out to be one of the top point guards in the league

58 votes

No, he is all flash and will be a bust

26 votes

84 votes | Poll has closed

Phoenix Suns All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire possibly headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves?

RGreyslak — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:26:59 -0000

Amare Stoudemire has been at the top of the rumor list for sometime now. He has been criticized for his lack of effort on the defensive side of the court but nobody can deny that he is one of the best scoring forwards in the game. Then newest rumor circulating is sending Amare to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson and the 6th overall pick in the draft. This trade works out well for both teams and is in discussion between the two franchises. Let’s break down this deal from both angles and see how it can benefit both teams.

The Wolves would receive one of the best scoring power forwards in the game today and instantly receive name recognition in the NBA that they have so badly wanted. They have not had that star since deciding to depart with Kevin Garnett a couple years back. We all know how that deal went for both teams. They would have an immediately unstoppable scoring presence on the inside. Amare for his career is averaging 21.4 points 8.10 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game and is under contract next year for $16,378,325 and has a player option for the following season that would pay him $17,686,100. Amare is entering his seventh year in the league after making the jump straight from high school and will be seeking a max contract after this season from any team willing to show him the money. However they will have to make more deals then that to make them a playoff potential team.

After the Timberwolves decided to part ways with Kevin McHale today it is obvious that the team is looking to go in a new direction under their new President of Basketball Operations David Kahn. This trade could put them in that new direction and they would have a pivotal player to build a team around.

The Suns would receive the services of Al Jefferson who was traded a couple years ago from Boston in exchange for Kevin Garnett. He is a defensive and rebounding upgrade from Amare Stoudemire but does not possess the same athleticism and offensive ability that Stat can bring for you. Big Al has averaged 23.1 points 11.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game throughout his career and is under contract for the next four years at $12,000,000 per season and increasing $1,000,000 per year thereafter. Al is entering his fifth year in the NBA and could add a great defensive toughness to the Phoenix Suns. He has the potential to be a star in this league for years to come.

Another issue to discuss with this potential deal is the major injuries that both of these players are currently recovering from. Amare partially tore his retina and suffered optic nerve damage during the season and missed the last half. This is a very serious injury and if it does not heal properly could inhibit his vision for the rest of his life. However the good news is that all indications are that Stat will have a full recovery and be ready to go come preseason. Because of the severity of his injury he has vowed to wear eye protection for the rest of his career. Big Al suffered one of the worst injuries a basketball player can get. He is currently recovering from a torn ACL but also is ahead of schedule and should be back to 100% by preseason. It is also worth mentioning that Amare has already previously suffered a very dangerous knee injury by recovering from his micro fracture surgery from a few years ago. These injuries are issues that both teams should closely look at before making this potential deal.

The other pivotal point to this trade that really entices the Phoenix Suns is that it includes the Wolves 6th overall pick in this year’s draft. This deal would give the Suns the 6th and the 14th overall pick. This would allow them to pick up young talent and start the rebuilding process since everyone knows as constructed this is not a championship team. There are a handful of great point guards and athletic big men available in this draft and could be a huge opportunity to begin to rebuild this team for the future.

Both teams can see how this trade can send them in the new direction they are desperately seeking and overall this trade can benefit both teams greatly. What are your opinions on this potentially franchise changing move that is in discussion by these two teams?

Poll

What do you think? Amare for Al Jefferson and the #6 pick?

Heck yeah. Kerr should do this in a heart beat

577 votes

Nope. Still don't want to get rid of Amare

183 votes

760 votes | Poll has closed