What Lies Ahead for Amar'e

So it seems that, barring MAJOR changes at the eleventh hour, Amar'e Stoudemire will be a Phoenix Sun for the remainder of the season. Cleveland decided that it did not want to part with JJ Hickson and traded for Antawn Jamison instead. Miami seemingly has not offered anything that the Suns want, so we get to see the team give it a go this year. For this season, it is definitely a positive. The Suns could, if they keep up the quality play, find themselves in the playoffs with home-court advantage for at least the first series. They have shown that they can, on any given night, play and beat anyone in the NBA. But, then what? Stoudemire still can opt out of the last year of his contract, worth more than $17 million and walk away. Will Phoenix end up losing one of the most talented players in the league for nothing? Is the Suns front office that stupid?

While I have questioned the sanity and intelligence of some of the moves that the Suns have made over the past few seasons, I wouldn't think that they would let their co-best player walk away for nothing (By the way, if you ever want to feel like pulling out your hair or throwing yourself in front of an SUV on the freeway, read pages 180-182 in Bill Simmon's The Book of Basketball, where it describes some of the moves made and their ramifications). The Suns are still in good shape. They are not powerless. Here is what is likely to happen:

Stoudemire decides not to opt out of his deal

If he does this, he plays the last year of his deal and earns more than $17 million. For the Suns, he still is a valuable asset. He will be an expiring contract and still will be a top tier player. This also gives the team some more time to negotiate an extension. Reportedly, the team and Amar'e are not differing in money, but in years. This may get worked out. If not, he would likely be moved before the trading deadline next season.

Stoudemire opts out, Suns sign-and-trade

This is the more likely scenario. If he opts out, the team that can give him the most years and money is Phoenix. this is ideally what he wants. The Suns would work a deal with another team, getting players/picks that they hopefully want, and Stoudemire gets the money and security he desires.

In the end, Phoenix will work the situation to either sign him to an extension or get compensated for him. This is the type of managing that we as fans expect- actual planning. Now, what the team REALLY needs to figure out to do is to shed Jason Richardson's or Leandro Barbosa's contract to get a pick in the first round of this year's draft and to find salary relief...but mostly so we can get a draft pick. I hope that my trust in management in THIS particular issue is not misguided.

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