Even after the Knicks and Cavs games, we all agree the Suns have had an impressive start to the season.  Even if the team begins to slow down in a tough December, the early success has provided a nice safety net, providing the Suns an ability to stay in the Western Conference playoff picture until the spring, where an early home schedule should give them a chance to explode.  I am, at heart, an optimist.  But despite all this, is still feels a bit like the Suns are playing with fire.  To me, the Suns impressive records boils down to three factors:

1. Steve Nash's brilliance.  Sustainable? I don't see why not.

2.  Hard work and effort on the glass and defensive side of the ball preventing total meltdown.  Sustainable? I doubt it.  It's great to see hustle again, but this is the NBA, not JV Basketball.  Hustle will only get you so far, and as recently shown, our defense isn't even that close to passable.

3.  The wings holding down the fort.  Sustainable? I doubt this as well.  The wing position, for the past 5 or so years, has been a strong point for the Suns.  I think J-Rich can keep up his semi-impressive work, but I have to believe that Dudley (having never done this before) and Hill (37) will slow down, and I don't think Alando is the answer.

If the Suns want to be anything more than the 5th - 8th seed in the west, the need to make a trade.  As soon as possible

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Apparently Odom's return to the Lake's isn't moving very smoothly.   Apparently the Suns covet Odom, having tried to land him multiple times over the past couple years.  I'm not saying this is going to happen - with us cutting Wallace instead of trading him for Chandler, we do seem to be in 2010 mode.  It just seems a weird strategy to me, if we gave Hill and Frye money for 2010, as well as extending Nash, and with J-Rich and Barbosa getting paid in 2010 - the most we might have is Amare's expiring contract, which would mean we are letting him walk.  Just weird all around.  Instead, I suggest we try the following Sign-and-Trade:

Odom at $9 a year to the Suns

Earl Clark, Alando Tucker, and Pavlovic to the Lakers.

This works at the cap level because of the $2 million trade exception we have with the Shaq trade.  We end up not saving any money overall - I think we go right back to where we were pre-Shaq trade, but gives us the following lineup:

Nash-Dragic

Richardson-Barbosa

Hill-Dudley

Odom-Frye

Stoudemire-Lopez

That team is 10 deep! Well, nine, not counting Dragic.  But I think this team would be the best since 2004 - J-Rich can pull off JJ's offense, Barbosa is still on the bench, goodness knows Hill is better than Q, and can defend, Odom puts up way better offensive numbers than marion, and rebounds just as well, and doesn't clog the paint for Amare.  We've also got two legit backup big men, not even counting Lou.

Who, in the west, could stop this team besides the Lakers? Hill is at least = Jefferson, and Duncan can't keep up with Amare and Odom.  The Mavs would get absolutely shredded in the front court, as would the Blazers.  The Rockets, Jazz are falling apart.  Isn't it worth trying?

I'm not talking about the Suns part.  It seems like this franchise has always embodied the Phoenix more than some burning ball of gas; and what's most depressing about this offseason is that it is so a-typical of this franchise.  Let me explain:

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According to ESPN, Trevor Ariza is now set on leaving the Lakers due to apparent bad blood, and is willing to accept the mid-level amount.

I think the Suns should move on this, and fast.  Here's why:

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If the Warriors send us Curry, Bellinelli, Wright and Biedrins, then I might reconsider.  Anything less, and I cannot accept this as a sound basketball decision. This is for four reasons:

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First, I want to say to almost everyone - Lighten Up! This is not the end of the world - even as a young suns fan, I've endured Majerle for Hot Rod Williams, Barkely for Cassel and Horry, Kidd for Marbury, and much more.  Shaq is not Majerle. Shaq is not Barkley, and Shaq is not Kidd.  I like Shaq as a player and a personality, wish it could have worked for him here, wish him well in Clevelend, and this this trade was for the better.  He didn't have a future here.  So let's all put our balls back on, calm down, and look at the Bright Side.  This team is the PHOENIX suns for a reason. With that said, I do think the Suns are blowing everything up, and I had some ideas.

I just wanted to get these down- I honestly think all of the following trades have a 50% chance of happening, and I want credit, damnit.  No, I don't have any sources, just too much time with the Trade Machine and an over-active imagination.

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The day before the draft, (as I see it, our last chance for major overhaul) I figured I would roll out my huge, crazy, insane rebuilding project, and pray that Kerr reads it. Be warned, the only players I plan on keeping are Barbosa, Dudley and Lopez

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According to ESPN.com Insider (which, by the way is expensive, tempermental, and disappointing - save your money), the Hawks are trying to move Josh Smith.  Since the Suns have had a supremely talented, athletic and moody forward before, I figured . . . why not give it a try

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Alright, this post is partially in jest to all the other crazy trade rumours (I'm looking at you, Rondo/Allen trade).  But the more I think about it, the more I like it. 

To Chicago: Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire,

To Phoenix: Derrick Rose, Loul Deng, Ty Thomas, Tim Thomas

Why Chicago does it: I firmly believe this trade makes Chicago contenders, if not favorites.  This trade gives Chicago the cap room to resign Gordon, making their lineup:

Nash

Hinrich/Gordon

Salmons

Amare

Miller/Noah

No way that team doesn't contend in the East.

Why Phoenix does it: Want to blow it up? Want to rebuild? This is your wish.  Rose is the next great point guard - Nash is replaced. I believe in Deng's talent, and most of the Suns fans would deal Amare for Salmons, Thomas and Thomas anyway. Deng is younger, quicker, and more talented than Salmons, it's known the Bulls want to deal him, and we still get the next PF. Lineup of the future:

Rose/Dragic

Barbosa/Johnson?

Richardson/Clark

Thomas/Blair?

Lopez

Better than rebuilding with Antawn "Creaky Hips" Jamison, people.

Yes, it's a huge deal, but huge deals have been done before.  I think the Bulls will be looking to capitalize on their glut of talent know that John (I'm terrified of dealing for a superstar) Paxson is gone.

If the Western Conference finals ends up Houston vs. Denver.  Even with Amare out, I 100% firmly believe the Suns can beat either of those teams in 7 game series. We took the nuggets in the regular season, and Lord knows we can take the Rockets with Yao out.  This is killing me.

Let's say we take the Mav's place - we glide by a depleted, decrepit San Antonio Team, Shaq abuses K-Mart down low, Nash matches Billups shot for shot, we take the Nuggets just like we did in the regular season, then put Shaq up against Carl FREAKING Landry? Say what you will about Shaq, but he's not disappearing Like Pau or Bynum.  He take Landry to task, and we all know it. 

I do think this bodes well for our future. If San Antonio is really this old, and LA is reallly struggling this much . . . I'm fine bringing back our same exact team. But I can't help thinking we could have done something this year.

If you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some kerosene . . .

[Note by Phoenix Stan, 05/15/09 1:37 PM MST ]

I have been thinking along these same lines regarding the Lakers and how less then great they are looking and what that means for the Suns.

I would also point out that the Lakers will be losing Odom and Ariza to free agency. Both are unrestricted and with Bynum's big extension kicking in next season they are already at about $76m without Tervor and Lamar. I suppose it is possible they will find a way to keep one or both but it is also quite likely that next year's Lakers will be with out those key pieces.

Are the Suns a contender if they come back in tact? Probably not, but they are by no means a lottery team again either.