Phoenix Suns Trade Rumors

Stoudemire seemingly still hot for Heat
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March 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Because it's all about July 1, 2010, another no-pretense look into what everyone is wondering about, anyway. -- An impending free agent if he opts out, Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire acknowledged last week that his best avenue this summer could be a sign-and-trade to one of his prime suitors from last month's trading deadline. Of course, acquiring Stoudemire in a trade, as opposed to free agency, would be huge for the Miami Heat, because it then could retain its Bird Rights with players such as Udonis Haslem, Dorell Wright, Jermaine O'Neal and Quentin Richardson (or at least those left after a trade), and therefore be able to exceed the salary cap to retain its incumbent free ..."
Amar'e Stoudemire in no hurry to talk about extension with Suns
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March 5
Arizona Republic
 
"What forward Amar'e Stoudemire has done lately is not going to change the status of a possible contract extension with the Suns anytime soon. Stoudemire said he wants to shelve contract-extension talks until after the season, when he also will have to make a decision about opting out of the final year of the deal, which would pay him $17.7 million. He must decide by June 30. "I just don't want the distraction," Stoudemire said. "I don't want to distract the team right now. We're playing well. So in the off-season, we can talk about extensions. "The way I play is not really focusing on the contract at all. I'm playing strictly to get a better spot in the playoffs and a higher seed and also ..."
Suns' Kerr lets deadline pass without dealing Stoudemire
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February 19
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns are just going to have to settle for keeping the NBA's 10th leading scorer, 11th leading shooter and 23rd leading rebounder. Underwhelmed again by what was available for Amar'e Stoudemire on the trade scene, the Suns let the league trade deadline pass Thursday without making a move to deal him - or anyone - from their 32-23 team that ranks seventh in the Western Conference. "In the end, nothing really struck our fancy," Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said. "The other thing is we felt really strongly about this team and how well we've played this year. We're in position to be a playoff team. We owe it to our players to keep them together. We owe it to our fans to allow this team ..."
Amare staying in Phoenix
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February 18
ESPN.com
 
"The word out of Phoenix is that a last-minute bid for Amare Stoudemire from an undisclosed team has fallen apart. Stoudemire will remain a Sun for the rest of the season. Owner Robert Sarver and GM Steve Kerr have scheduled a dinner with Stoudemire and his agent Thursday night to try to calm the troubled waters."
Owner: Suns not looking to move Amare
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February 18
ESPN.com
 columnist Marc Stein
"Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver has informed All-Star center Amare Stoudemire that he is unlikely to be dealt before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trading deadline. In an e-mail Thursday morning to ESPN.com, Sarver confirmed reports in the Arizona Republic and on FanHouse.com that he met privately with Stoudemire after Wednesday's loss in Dallas to let him know that the Suns are no longer looking to move him."
Amar'e Stoudemire trade highly unlikely
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February 18
Arizona Republic
 
"Amar'e Stoudemire is still with the Suns today and probably for the rest of the season. His agent predicted that Wednesday would be his final Suns game. Even after Cleveland went elsewhere for a trade, Stoudemire said there was a 50-50 chance he would be dealt by today's deadline. But in an e-mail Thursday morning to ESPN.com, Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver confirmed reports in The Arizona Republic and on FanHouse.com that he met privately with Stoudemire after Wednesday's loss in Dallas to let him know that the Suns are no longer looking to move him. In reality, the chances of Stoudemire being traded went from strong to doubtful Wednesday, when Cleveland pulled power forward J.J. ..."
Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire: It's great to be wanted
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February 17
Arizona Republic
 
"If Tuesday night's game was Amar'e Stoudemire's finale with the Suns, he was going to enjoy it. Stoudemire joked in the pregame locker room with teammates, showed off a University of Memphis sweatshirt that had been delivered from the school to which he committed after high school , and tried to keep the locker room hushed when Steve Nash put his uniform shorts on backward. But in that same room, there also was a feeling that Stoudemire might not play for the Suns Wednesday night at Dallas. That was before a Yahoo! report said Cleveland's talks about acquiring Washington's Antawn Jamison, instead of Stoudemire, had intensified. Reportedly, Cleveland's LeBron James favors Stoudemire. The ..."
Stoudemire remains Cleveland Cavaliers' top target, but Jamison still a strong option
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February 17
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Cavaliers have made their calls, now they're waiting for their phone to ring. As the team headed into the eve of the NBA's trading deadline, sources indicated they had finalized and ranked their list of trade options. It includes input from the coaching staff, ownership and the team's veteran players, especially LeBron James. Their first choice is believed to be to trade for the Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire, a deal they have been working on in earnest since last week. Their offer is centered around Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson, but would likely include at least one more player and a draft pick. Despite being prodded by the Cavs, however, the Suns seem willing to wait. League ..."
Amar'e and Suns done discussing contract extension; tells friends Wednesday might be his last game with Phoenix
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February 17
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Amar'e Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns are no longer discussing a contract extension, and the All-Star forward was privately telling friends that he believes he's playing his last game in a Suns uniform on Wednesday night in Dallas, sources said. As Yahoo! Sports had reported, agent Happy Walters and Suns general manager Steve Kerr exchanged contract offers over the weekend, but were far apart in talks, sources said. Those privy to the conversations among Suns ownership, management and Walters say they no longer include scenarios where Stoudemire isn't traded prior to Thursday's deadline. Stoudemire can opt out of the $17.7 million on his 2010-11 contract, and unless the Suns trade him, ..."
Suns back to action as Stoudemire trade rumors swirl
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February 16
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns received a break from the 82-game NBA grind during All-Star weekend, but they haven't received a break from persistent Amar'e Stoudemire trade rumors. So on Tuesday night they go back to work, beginning a back-to-back set of games in Memphis before moving on to Dallas on Wednesday night. Then comes Thursday's league trade deadline. Will the Suns be the same team on the other side of the deadline? Or is Stoudemire's 7 1/2-season run that includes five All-Star appearances, about to end in Phoenix? "There are so many hypotheticals and what-ifs and different scenarios," veteran Grant Hill said. "I'll leave that to you guys in the media and barbershops and let us just focus on going ..."
Sure, there's risk in any big move, but Stoudemire could be Cavaliers' title clincher
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February 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 columnist Bill Livingston
"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's Amar'e. (Although it could also be Jamario.) When the world starts to shine like the Celts in decline, that's Amar'e. (But only if he comes here.) The proposed trade of J.J. Hickson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to Phoenix for Amar'e Stoudemire has all of pro basketball dancing to the Cavaliers' tune. Stoudemire is a five-time All-Star, a 20-point-per-game fixture, and a consistent double-double threat in points and rebounds. He shows no aftereffects of microfracture knee surgery earlier in his career. He is not a perfect fit at this late stage of a memorable season, but his "up" side is high enough to justify the risk. Objections to the ..."
As Amar'e Stoudemire asserts he can play with Shaquille O'Neal, Cavaliers play waiting game on Phoenix's trade decision
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February 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"This is supposedly the climax of trade season in the NBA. But that isn't really accurate. It is the climax of money season. For both teams and players. Money is at the heart of the potentially league-altering trade the Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns continue to ponder that would bring All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire to Cleveland. The Cavs, according to sources, are waiting for an answer with their offer that centers around Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson but may include another player or draft pick. The Cavs have established other trade options, but they are waiting for resolution to their Stoudemire bid before doing anything else. The talks have gotten so much attention in Cleveland and ..."
Sources: Heat chasing Stoudemire
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February 16
ESPN.com
 columnist Marc Stein
"The Miami Heat have intensified their efforts to trump Cleveland in the chase for Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, sources close to the situation said Monday. The Heat emerged from the All-Star break even more determined than they were before to find a third team to help them broker an Amare deal before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline. Miami is "coming hard" after Stoudemire, one source said."
Source: Stoudemire doesn't want to play in Cleveland
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February 15
The News-Herald
 
"Many around the league are holding their breath until the Amar'e Stoudemire trade to the Cavaliers is announced. But there could be one major road block. A source said the five-time All-Star center let it be known that he does not want to come to Cleveland. The Cavs have reportedly been informed of that news and have gone in another direction. They had reportedly offered center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, promising young power forward J.J. Hickson and another player to the Suns for Stoudemire. The source said judging from the changing winds of the NBA, it's not totally out of the question that the Cavs could still make a deal for Stoudemire. But the 6-foot-10, 249-pound Stoudemire has little ..."
Sources: Teams sweeten Amare offers
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February 15
ESPN.com
 columnist Chris Broussard
"While Cleveland has zeroed in on Amare Stoudemire, it benefits the Suns to let the process play out until the last hours before Thursday's deadline. Sources with knowledge of the negotiations said Saturday night that the Cavs and Suns were in serious talks about a deal that would send Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson to Phoenix in exchange for Stoudemire, one of the league's most dominant big man. Stoudemire is averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds on the season. But reports that the five-time All-Star Stoudemire could be headed to Cleveland have led other clubs to spice up their offers to Phoenix, according to sources. The ball is now in Phoenix's court. The Suns are mulling over ..."
Is Cleveland big enough for Amare & Shaq
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February 15
ESPN.com
 
"On Sunday, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns had seriously discussed a trade that would send Amare Stoudemire to Cleveland for J.J. Hickson (and the expiring contract of Zydrunas Ilgauskas). As Broussard reported, the Cavs had made the offer and the ball was in Phoenix's court. In the meantime, I've spoken to sources connected to the Cavs, the Suns and other teams around the league, and while they confirm that the Stoudemire trade discussions between Cleveland and Phoenix are at a serious stage, they also describe a fluid situation, with trade discussions taking place on multiple fronts."
Stoudemire deal may seal a Cavaliers title, and LeBron's return as well
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February 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 columnist Bud Shaw
"Based on what the Cavaliers gave up for Shaquille O'Neal and the possible deal for Amar'e Stoudemire, Cavs Danny Ferry could be in line for Executive of the Year honors. Everywhere except Arizona, where he could face five-to-10 years for robbing the wagon train. Stoudemire joining the Cavs would be the story of two trades played out over nine months with the Cavs receiving a historic haul: Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, J.J. Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a couple of draft picks to Phoenix for O'Neal, Stoudemire and the strong possibility of Ilgauskas on the rebound 30 days later, as NBA rules allow. Ferry would like an answer from Phoenix soon to give him time to pursue something else if ..."
LeBron James, Amar'e Stoudemire waiting like everyone else on Cavaliers-Suns proposed trade
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February 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"LeBron James and Amar'e Stoudemire purposely were avoiding specifics late Sunday night, but there's little doubt they are already thinking about playing with one another. While multiple league sources indicated there are other suitors for the Suns' talented big man, signs continue to grow that Stoudemire will be moved and that the Cavs are the leading candidate to land him. James, who scored 25 points in the Eastern Conference's 141-139 win over the Western Conference in the All-Star Game, said he's waiting on word that the deal has been finalized. "I'm aware of the talks just like everybody else," James said. "I don't get caught up into it until I hear from the GM that the deal has ..."
Cavs remain leaders to land Stoudemire
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February 15
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Phoenix Suns are getting closer to making a decision on the future of Amar'e Stoudemire, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as the frontrunner to acquire the All-Star forward, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Multiple sources believe the Suns have decided to move Stoudemire before Thursday's trade deadline and are simply positioning themselves to get the best possible offer. The Suns have had serious discussions on a trade that would send Stoudemire to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson, but sources say neither side has yet to commit that it will make the trade should the other give the nod. Nevertheless, the Cavs are the clear frontrunner over ..."
Suns still exploring options for Amar'e Stoudemire deal
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February 15
Arizona Republic
 
"If there was any inhibitions or prohibitions about trading Amar'e Stoudemire before he started Sunday night's All-Star Game, those are gone. The Suns have continued at least a month of exploring the idea of trading Stoudemire to Cleveland with face-to-face meetings and phone discussions in recent days but no deal was imminent Sunday night. The trade deadline is 1 p.m. Arizona time Thursday and the Suns figure to use the time with the chances of him being moved being 50-50. Phoenix is considering various deals, some involving other players, but the most-visited scenario would send Stoudemire to the Cavaliers in exchange for starting second-year power forward J.J. Hickson, Cleveland's ..."
Sources: Teams sweeten Amare offers
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February 14
ESPN.com
 
"While Cleveland has zeroed in on Amare Stoudemire, it benefits the Suns to let the process play out until the last hours before Thursday's deadline. Sources with knowledge of the negotiations said Saturday night that the Cavs and Suns were in serious talks about a deal that would send Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson to Phoenix in exchange for Stoudemire, one of the league's most dominant big man. Stoudemire is averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds on the season. But reports that the five-time All-Star Stoudemire could be headed to Cleveland have led other clubs to spice up their offers to Phoenix, according to sources."
Cleveland reportedly set to trade Big Z, J.J. Hickson to Phoenix for Stoudemire, if Suns agree
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February 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to trade center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and power forward J. J. Hickson to the Phoenix Suns for all-star power forward Amare Stoudemire, if Phoenix agrees to the deal, ESPN.com reports, as according to sources it has spoken with. Ilgauskas, now the backup to Shaquille O'Neal, is a two-time all-star and Cleveland's all-time leader in games played (760). His 14 seasons with the Cavaliers - including two full seasons missed while recovering from two of his six foot surgeries - is the 10th longest stay in Cleveland for any player in Cavaliers, Indians or Browns history. Hickson has shown promise in the last several weeks with some dynamic offensive play around the ..."
Sources: Hickson, Ilgauskas to Suns
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February 14
ESPN.com
 
"The Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns are closing in on a deal that would send All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire to Cleveland, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations. The Cavaliers would send Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson to Phoenix in exchange for Stoudemire, one of the league's most dominant big man. While Cleveland remains in talks with several other teams, the club, from management down to the players, has settled on Stoudemire as its first choice."
Cavs targeting Suns' Stoudemire
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February 13
Yahoo! Sports
 
"As the Phoenix Suns engage in trade discussions with several teams for Amar'e Stoudemire(notes) – including negotiations with the Cleveland Cavaliers – general manager Steve Kerr has been exchanging contract extension proposals with the All-Star's agent, sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Suns made a multiyear offer last week, and Stoudemire's representative, Happy Walters, replied with a counterproposal over the weekend. It is unclear what the Suns offered, but Stoudemire is believed to be using the three-year, $57 million extension Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol(notes) received this season as a framework for talks. There's no indication the Suns' offer has given Stoudemire pause about ..."
Cavaliers intensify trade talks for Phoenix Suns All-Star Amare Stoudemire
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February 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"At the moment, All-Star Weekend is turning into an elaborate game of Spy vs. Spy. The amount of information and disinformation flying around is at a fever pitch as teams jostle for position in escalating trade talks. The Cavaliers, as would be expected, are right in the middle of it. According to multiple sources, over the past few days the Cavs have had advancing talks with the Phoenix Suns about All-Star forward Amar'e Stoudemire. It is not the only player they have interest in -- there are still long-term-target forwards Antawn Jamison of Washington and Troy Murphy of the Pacers out there -- but it seems the Cavs are focusing on Stoudemire. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry and Suns ..."
Stoudemire situation is tricky for Kerr
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February 11
Arizona Republic
 columnist Dan Bickley
"Amar'e Stoudemire gets your blood racing. He's a beast, a hammer, a half-player, a head case. He is the final nightmare for General Manager Steve Kerr, whose stewardship of the Suns likely will end this summer, punctuated by this impending decision. "I love the guy," Kerr said. "He has a great heart." Right. What? Look, this is confusing stuff. The Suns can't afford to keep Stoudemire, and they can't win a playoff series in 2010 without him. With the team surging again, another give-away trade would be lethal, inciting fan mutiny and permanently staining the reputations of Kerr and owner Robert Sarver. Kerr is in the final year of his contract and there has been little movement on new ..."
Heat continue to pursue Stoudemire
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February 10
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Miami Heat president Pat Riley has emerged as one of the most determined pursuers of Phoenix Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire, proposing several different packages that make available any of his players short of Dwyane Wade, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Heat have discussed several scenarios with the Suns, including packages that include combinations of young players (Michael Beasley, Dorell Wright) and expiring contracts (Jermaine O'Neal and Quentin Richardson). The Heat are also willing to part with their 2010 first-round draft pick. "Nobody is pushing harder on this than Riley," one league source said. The Suns are believed to be in discussions with as many as six teams, although ..."
Suns seem content to stand pat at trade deadline
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February 10
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns certainly are listening to all offers for forward Amar'e Stoudemire. There is a full week of activity ahead, with no team executive ready to be forthright until the Feb. 18 NBA trade deadline is closer. But nobody with the Suns has given much indication that they would like to do anything but ride the good feelings caused by their five-game winning streak, which has featured the best play of the season from Stoudemire and his teammates. Team leader Steve Nash wants to see how the Suns would fare as comprised. Coach Alvin Gentry's 21 years in the NBA make him skeptical of any big deadline move. And General Manager Steve Kerr, the one who would call such a shot, is as excited as ..."
Pistons' Ben Gordon for Amare Stoudemire? No truth to that rumor
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February 9
Detroit News
 
"Stop the celebrations. Stop running through possible lineups in your head. Amare Stoudemire is not coming to the Pistons in that three-way trade rumor that has Pistons fans buzzing. The rumor: The Pistons would send guard Ben Gordon to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers would send forward Andre Iguodala to the Suns and the Pistons would get Stoudemire. If you can get Stoudemire for Gordon, you go for it. But this sounds too much like those old Lindsey Hunter and Terry Mills for David Robinson trade rumors that used to run rampant around here. You are foolish if you think the Pistons can land Stoudemire for Gordon. First, Gordon has been injured most of the season. What good is it for ..."
Amar'e Stoudemire trade scenarios still plausible for Suns
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February 9
Arizona Republic
 
"On this final march to the Feb. 18 NBA trade deadline, there is no imminent Amar'e Stoudemire trade, but a deal with major franchise implications remains quite possible. The Suns' most frequently mentioned potential trade partners are Cleveland and Philadelphia. A trade prospect with Cleveland combines a financial windfall and a young, promising power forward replacement in J.J. Hickson, whom the Suns liked in the 2008 draft when they tabbed center Robin Lopez. Phoenix would stand to save several million dollars in a deal involving center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who received most of his salary up front and could be bought out to move Phoenix toward the possibility of being a luxury tax ..."
Suns willing to take on Iguodala and Dalembert
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February 8
ESPN.com
 
"The revelation of the week is that Phoenix, forever conscious of the luxury-tax line, is apparently willing to take on both Andre Iguodala (who has four seasons left on his contract after this season worth $56 million) and Samuel Dalembert (scheduled to earn $12 million next season) from Philadelphia in a deal for Amare Stoudemire. Yet it's believed that the Suns would want the Sixers to take back Jason Richardson in such a swap, which would also require Philly to send another player (such as Jason Kapono or Willie Green) to the desert. Stoudemire's loud suggestions this week that he might not opt out of his contract at season's end, as Chad likewise noted, were likely designed to give the ..."
Suns take up-close look at Iguodala
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February 8
ESPN.com
 
"Are the Suns inching closer to a trade with Philadelphia headlined by Amare Stoudemire and Andre Iguodala? Separate sources close to both teams caution that it's too soon to answer that question affirmatively. One source with knowledge of the Suns' thinking, in particular, insisted that Phoenix was still evaluating several potential trade candidates. However . . . You can safely say that the Suns have ramped up their evaluation of Iguodala, whom they've liked dating to the 2004 draft when Iguodala turned pro after two years at Arizona. We know that because the Suns quietly dispatched one of their lead decision-makers – senior vice president of basketball operations David Griffin – to New ..."
Suns star won't get max deal
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February 7
San Antonio Express-News
 
"Phoenix's All-Star center, Amare Stoudemire, says the presumption he will opt out of the final season of his contract with the Suns is decidedly premature. It is hard to argue the merits of bypassing a guaranteed $17.7 million. A bird in the hand, and all that. Smart thinking, Amare. What's not so smart: Stoudemire told Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears a few days ago that he's confident the National Basketball Players Association can take care of business in collective bargaining talks with the league. Talks already have begun in hopes of avoiding calamity when the current deal expires after the 2010-11 season. "I'm not sure how the CBA's going to turn out," he said, "but I've got confidence ..."
Iguodala trade talk: Phoenix, Houston
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February 6
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The latest trade talk circulating around 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala has him going with teammate Samuel Dalembert to the Phoenix Suns for star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire and, possibly, guard Leandro Barbosa. According to an NBA source, the two teams have discussed this and other trade scenarios, although there are a few snags with the potential trade. Stoudemire's contract situation is chief among them. The NBA's trade deadline is Feb. 18. Iguodala has four years and $56 million remaining on his contract; Dalembert will earn $12 million next season, after which his contract expires. Stoudemire's contract expires at season's end, but he has a player option to earn $17 million for the ..."
Amar'e Stoudemire favoring opt-in with Phoenix Suns
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February 5
Arizona Republic
 
"Amar'e Stoudemire's NBA future has more possible endings than a game of Clue. He cleared up one scenario Wednesday. Whether or not the Suns trade him by the Feb. 18 deadline, Stoudemire is favoring the idea of picking up his $17.7 million option for 2010-11 rather than declining it to be a free agent in July. "It's not a bad option for me," he said. "Just to have a sense of security, I could opt in to know I'd be here. Plus, I got 18 (million dollars) coming next season so that's not a bad option." Stoudemire said he is not concerned about what a new collective bargaining agreement might hold for 2011, when he would be a free agent if he opts in and does not sign an extension. The Suns ..."
Amar'e Stoudemire may stay with Phoenix Suns, much to chagrin of New Jersey Nets
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February 5
New York Daily News
 
"The Nets may have lost out on their slim chance to deal for Amar'e Stoudemire, but they still could make some major changes before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. Though he has the ability to opt out of the final year of his contract after this season, Stoudemire said on Wednesday that he may choose to stay with Phoenix, adding that he expects the Suns to offer him a contract extension "pretty soon." "That's definitely an option," Stoudemire told the Web site Fanhouse.com. "I'm leaning more toward that right now." Until Stoudemire made that statement, it had been assumed he would be opting out of his contract and that the Suns would try to trade him before the deadline in order to get ..."
Stoudemire may be on the way out
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February 1
East Valley Tribune
 columnist Bob Romantic
"Amaré Stoudemire is on the trading block. In other developments, grass is green, Megan Fox is fairly popular among teenage boys, that Facebook thing is starting to catch on and ... you get the idea. Amaré trade rumors are nothing new in these parts. Only this time, I think the Suns are ready to pull the trigger. With the trade deadline approaching Feb. 18, the Suns essentially have three options: 1) Hang on to Stoudemire, hope they make a playoff run and see what happens in the offseason, when Amare must decide whether to exercise a $17.7 million player option for next season or become a free agent. 2) Sign Stoudemire to a long-term extension, which undoubtedly would require a max-contract ..."
Rumor casts Suns as major trade player
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January 28
Arizona Republic
 
"If there is one thing we've learned through the years, it's that as the NBA's trading deadline approaches, the deals that actually happen almost are never the deals in the rumor mill. That's not to say those deals aren't being discussed. It's just that trades in the NBA are complicated, often requiring multiple players and/or teams to work. It's for this reason that we want to proceed here with a word of caution. So here it is: CAUTION! As you know by now, Amar'e Stoudemire has been rumored to be moving more often than that little accent mark in his first name. But he isn't the only star in the rumor mill as the Feb. 18 deadline approaches. Here's a look at some of them. We'll save ..."
Trade up: Popovich gets what he wanted
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January 28
San Antonio Express-News
 
"Gregg Popovich shrugged at the mention of Amare Stoudemire. Trade? Popovich dismissed an Internet story as merely the season for speculation. Besides, Popovich had other concerns. He was still working on his previous big-money, big-name trade. He was still trying to do something with another scorer not previously known for playing defense. Which is why Wednesday mattered. For the first time in a while, Richard Jefferson looked to be exactly what Popovich always wanted him to be. Jefferson has shown flashes, and sometimes brilliant ones. Earlier in the season, with both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker out against Dallas, Jefferson scored a season-high 29 points. But that has been Jefferson's ..."
Heat's Jermaine O'Neal could be dealt for Amare Stoudemire
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January 28
Miami Herald
 
"The last time center Jermaine O'Neal was traded, he was involved in just about every step of the negotiation process in his move last February from the Raptors to the Miami Heat. If the Heat has any plans to move O'Neal and his $23 million expiring contract before next month's trade deadline, the 14-year veteran apparently is not aware of them. O'Neal could be a major cog involved in a potential deal if the Heat is serious about acquiring Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix. The Heat has been mentioned among a half-dozen teams that might pursue a trade for Stoudemire if the Suns make him available. Stoudemire has a $17 million contract option for the 2010-11 season, but could opt out after this ..."
Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire playing his way out of town?
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January 28
Arizona Republic
 
"During training camp, Suns assistant coach Bill Cartwright talked about a need for the team's stars - Steve Nash, Jason Richardson and Amar'e Stoudemire - to play like stars this season. Nash often is brilliant offensively, although the burden of being the team's only playmaker is draining. In crunch time of Tuesday's loss to Charlotte, seven consecutive possessions ended in his hands, with more failure than success. He is committing more turnovers than ever and deep team-defense problems start at the top with him. Richardson was acquired to provide explosive scoring. The Suns are 12-18 since Dec. 1, and he has shot 41.2 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from 3-point range since ..."
Amare a Spur? Not so fast
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January 27
San Antonio Express-News
 
"While Spurs president of basketball operations Gregg Popovich acknowledges that every NBA team discusses nearly every potentially tradeable player, this is what we know to be true this morning: There has been zero conversation between the Spurs and the Suns about any trade that would bring All-Star center Amare Stoudemire to San Antonio. A report on the Yahoo! Sports Web site that the Spurs front office had "researched and debated pursuing Stoudemire to play alongside Tim Duncan" created an Internet buzz, but the two teams have not had even a preliminary talk about a deal. NBA sources say Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters, has been doing his best to create leverage for his client. ..."
Spurs consider bidding for Stoudemire
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January 27
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Another intriguing suitor could emerge in the bidding for Phoenix Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire, the San Antonio Spurs. Multiple league sources say the Spurs' front office has researched and debated pursuing Stoudemire to play alongside Tim Duncan. There are questions for the Spurs to answer: Would they be willing to part with the personnel – including possibly Manu Ginobili – to make a deal happen? Do the Spurs want to re-sign Stoudemire to a contract extension and swell their payroll? Do they believe Stoudemire could be the difference for their fifth championship? All questions with no clear answers for the Spurs – yet. Nevertheless, the possibility of an athletic, offensive force like ..."
Slow down on Stoudemire-to-Bulls rumors
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January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Last year, the rumors that Amare Stoudemire would be traded were unexpected and, ultimately, Phoenix opted not to make a financial purge. This season, they are expected, although recent talk of the Bulls being strongly interested should be tempered. The Arizona Republic reported recently the Suns are amping up efforts to deal the All-Star power forward, mindful that attempts to reach a deal on a long-term contract extension haven't gone far. The newspaper reported Golden State, Minnesota and Cleveland have shown interest in Stoudemire, but noted that the forward's ability to opt out to become a free agent and not re-sign with any team he is traded to could serve as a deterrent."
Trade rumors swirl around Iguodala
Comment
January 26
Wilmington News Journal
 
"With the NBA trading deadline less than a month away, rumors abound. And some of them involve 76ers forward Andre Iguodala, the team's leading scorer. If true, it would signify a drastic change in the thinking of Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski about the potential of the team as currently constructed. Stefanski wouldn't comment Monday other than to say, "We talk to all the teams on a regular basis." Iguodala has already been mentioned in a possible deal for Houston's Tracy McGrady, who has a $23 million contract that expires at the end of the season. Yahoo!sports, citing anonymous sources, reported that Cleveland might be interested in Iguodala. Both Shaquille O'Neal ($20 ..."
Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire not distracted by trade talk
Comment
January 26
Arizona Republic
 
"As interest in trading for Amar'e Stoudemire perks up this winter, it feels like a familiar blanket for the Suns forward. He said nothing has changed for what he wants. He would prefer to find a way to remain with the Suns. If he gets an extension, he believes he merits a maximum-level deal. If he gets traded, he wants to play for a title contender. "This has happened the last couple years so I'm used to handling it," Stoudemire said. "I was meant to be strong. Once I'm focused on something, I don't lose focus on the goal and that's to win basketball games. Nothing's going to distract me." Between Republic and Yahoo! reports, Chicago, Cleveland, Golden State, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey ..."