As long as the Suns are mediocre, I'm going to want to be at the top. This idea doesn't mean I don't enjoy watching the Suns team as constructed, only that I enjoy dreaming of a day when the Suns are the best team in the league. That said, allow me to throw my trade proposal into the ring. Think of this as two separate trades rather than a 3-way trade.

Let me preface this by saying that I don't think this trade is likely to happen, nor do I think it is a heist for the Suns. I think it's a feasible trade that could return the Suns to a championship contender in 2-3 years. That or a lottery team.

Why the Knicks do it:
The Knicks are trading Al Harrington's expiring contract and Toney Douglas' cap space for Steve Nash. The trade machine won't show it, but I would also like to add NY's 2011 first round pick. The Knicks are hoping to land two marquee free agents this summer with their cap space. I think it's unlikely that they land both. I mean, for all the talk there's a pretty good chance that all 4 big names stay put. I don't think Gallinari is enough to lure a big free agent. In order to attract talent, you have to have talent.That's where Nash comes in. I think Bosh would come play with Nash, Gallo, and whoever else they can get with their cap space. And while it's unlikely that they nab two big free agents, one big free agent and two middling ones isn't hard to imagine. Maybe they can get a Mike Miller, Ginobili or Ray Allen at the 2. Someone like Tyson Chandler at the 5. Mikey D would love that team. Of course, if they have their eyes set on Lebron and want to roll the dice this point is moot.

Projected Lineup:

PG: Nash

SG; (Miller)(Ginobili)(Allen)

SF: Gallinari

PF: Bosh

C: Tyson Chandler

Why the Nets do it:
A front line of Brook, Amare and Yi(I don't know that he's capable of playing good defense at the 3) is nothing to sneeze at. Even with Amare getting something close to the max, I believe the Nets still have enough room to sign a premier free agent. I think the aforementioned front line is good enough to attract someone like Wade. I would play with that team in a video game. Courtney Lee is somewhat expendable with the Terrence Williams and CDR, who can play the SF spot if YI can't. Oh yeah, Assuming Amare doesn't boost their win total this year by that much, the Nets have a pretty good shot at landing John Wall.

Projected Lineup:

PG: Wall

SG: Wade/CDR

SF:Yi/Williams

PF: Amare

C: Brook

Why the Suns do it:
Let's face it. Steve Kerr isn't going to give Amare a max contract. Even if he did, the team as constructed isn't a title contender. So unless we want to become the Suns of the late 90's, when it seemed like we were the 7 or 8 seed in the playoffs every year, we need to make a move. Devin Harris is a good point guard on a reasonable contract. He and Dragic are good enough defensively that we can play them on the court together for long stretches of time. Really, there aren't that many shooting guards in the league that are big enough and good enough to be a huge issue. Harris and Dragic can replace Nash's playmaking ability to some extent. They should be able to match his assist numbers at least. Courtey Lee and Toney Douglas have some potential at shooting guard. I'm assuming that Barbosa and J-Rich will be gone in 2 years. Hopefully one of Douglas and Lee pans out.

These trades also give the Suns about $20 million in expiring contracts between Harrington and Simmons. That's cap space we can save for later. 2011 to be exact. That's when Carmelo should hit the market. Other possibilities include David West, Troy Murphy and Jeff Green(the Thunder have to lose one of him Durant, Westbrook and Harden.

I think the Suns have a pretty good shot at landing Melo and one of the three PFs. Billups will be old by that time and Nene will be a FA. Why wouldn't Melo want to come play in a bigger market? I'm too lazy to check/predict who will have cap space in 2011, but I can't imagine there would be a much more attractive option than playing on a Suns team with Harris/Dragic/Lee in the backcourt, and Lopez and one the three PFs in the frontcourt.

As an added bonus, it is extremely likely that the Suns will suck hard in 2010 if they follow this plan. And as of right now, I believe we still have our own unprotected first round draft pick in 2011. Maybe it's high enough to land someone like Hassan Whiteside or Harrison Barnes. If we're able to flip the then-expiring contracts of Richardson and Barbosa for more young talent or picks, that could be a pretty good team. Maybe one good enough to challenge for a title with the Knicks and the Nets. :)

Projected Lineup:

G1: Harris/Douglas

G2: Dragic/ Lee

SF: Melo

PF: (Murphy) (West) (Green)

C: Robin

It's hard to say how any of these rosters will mesh together. I really didn't take into account each player's style or any chemistry issues that may come up. You'll notice that none of these teams will be defensive juggernauts. Instead, this is essentially a work in optimistic video game GM'ing.

Again, I realize that this is an improbable trade scenario, but as long as we keep playing the way we are, I need to console myself with dreams of a brighter tomorrow.

It seems everyone is twittering these days. And it may end up making an Arizona Cardinal division opponent a little tougher. Or more entertaining to say the least.

Twitter - Rams running back Steven Jackson used Twitter to ask Suns center Shaquille O'Neal if he was busy this coming fall.

Jackson, posting on his Twitter account (sj39), wrote, "shaq I'm looking 4 a offensive tackle. U busy n the fall? LOL."

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/11588/20090403/jackson_asks_shaq_to_play_tackle/

Sure, he talks about great defense every year. Hopefully this is the year he makes strides in his aticipation defense. I don't know if he'll ever be a good post defender - like Stan said, good defenders with his body type are unprecedented. But I like the Sun Tzu nickname. Sun Tzu, Suns Shogun...If only I could become coach of the Suns...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/11/06/stoudemire.suns/index.html