Pick6 wrote: what happened to this stretch 4 cleveland is looking for. Amare is not that.

3reppom wrote:

Pick6 wrote: what happened to this stretch 4 cleveland is looking for. Amare is not that.

Cleveland is a pick and roll team and there isn't a better pick and roll big man in the NBA right now that Amare. He is great flashing to the hole, and can step out to 19 feet on the pick and pop. He is not going to sit out at the 3 point line for catch and shot opportunities. But there aren't many big men better going to the basket than amare.

Cleveland Cavaliers intensify trade talks for Phoenix Suns All-Star Amare Stoudemire
By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
February 12, 2010, 7:45PM



Dallas -- 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 league sources, the Cavs have put their interest in forwards Troy Murphy and Antawn Jamison on the back burner for the moment and are getting serious about a higher-profile name, Phoenix Suns All-Star Amare Stoudemire.

Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry and Suns General Manager Steve Kerr, former teammates and friends who have already collaborated on big deals, met this afternoon in Dallas. Suns owner Robert Sarver and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert are also in town and are on the labor relations committee that met.

Sources indicate the Cavs, who first started talking to the Suns about their high-profile big man last month, are advancing talks to bring him to Cleveland.

It is possible there are discussions that would make it a larger deal. The Arizona Republic reported earlier this week that the Suns were hoping to get a team to take the contract of guard Jason Richardson in addition to Stoudemire to complete any deal. That has been a sticking point in talks with other teams, but it isn't clear whether the Cavs would be willing to swallow such a package.

They have the assets to pull it off if they are able to use Wally Szczerbiak in a sign-and-trade deal and the expiring contract of Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Suns are also believed to be interested in J.J. Hickson, who has had a breakout sophomore season.

Sources said the Cavs have advanced in discussions with the Pacers as well and could make a deal for Murphy if other deals fall thought. The Cavs still maintain an interest in Jamison and Yahoo! Sports is reporting they are competing with the Boston Celtics to trade for him.

The Wizards, according to multiple reports, appear to be headed for their rebuilding as a deal to send forward Caron Butler to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Josh Howard may be getting close.

But for now, it seems the Cavs have eyes for Stoudemire. It is a stunning situation considering Stoudemire didn't mesh with Shaquille O'Neal last season when both were with the Suns. He's averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds this season. He has one year at $17.6 million left on his contract but can opt out of it and become a free agent.

HighRoller74 wrote: Depending on J-Rich's contract, I'd bring him in with Amare, would hate to lost JJ, but for Amare wouldn't be so bad. Imagine this team.

C- Shaq
PF- Amare
SF- Lebron
SG- Parker
PG- Mo

Z
AV
West
JRich
Moon
Powe
Boobie

At a wedding reception tonight ... but slipped away briefly. Yes, things have taken an odd turn. Amare talks are on ..but, I've been told that we are involved as part of a couple three team packages. One involving Philadelphia.

Yes. You remember how I was saying that the Inguodala talks got complicated and convoluted and too big for us ..and that it needed a third team if it were going to work ..

Well, folks. It's back on the front burner again. Don't think we ultimately end up with Amare .. but we get some wonderful pieces that are part of the trade ... I don't even know much right now ...really don't.

But, I think Iguodala watch, or Richardson watch ...or something of that nature might be heating up.

That my best guess right now.

I'll do nmore digging tomorrow ...I've gotta get back before people realize I've come up missing.

Cleveland remains one of the more likely trade partners for the Suns, if they make a deal by Thursday's deadline. One scenario has Stoudemire going to Cleveland for a first-round draft choice, second-year starting power forward J.J. Hickson and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who could be bought out.

Asked whether a third consecutive year of trade rumors was a slap in the face, Stoudemire said: "Somewhat, it is. I don't understand why. It's not being explained to me why every year there's always trade talk with me being involved. It's a little difficult to deal with.

"They never really explain why the trade talk is coming, why they want to trade me. I've done a lot of work in the community. I've been trouble-free forever, so I just don't understand."

Stoudemire said his best-case scenario is to be on a title contender.

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 wanting to stay long-term with the team.

More From Adrian Wojnarowski

Nothing in the offer indicates that Stoudemire and the Suns are anywhere near an agreement. Stoudemire can opt out of his current contract’s $17.7 million final season and become part of this summer’s free-agent class. As much as anything, this appears to be motivation for the Suns to find a trading partner.

The Cavaliers have emerged as serious bidders for Stoudemire, and here’s a good reason for their pursuit: When presented with several trade proposals, LeBron James(notes) preferred Stoudemire, a league source said. It isn’t clear how center Shaquille O’Neal(notes) feels about the possibility of a Stoudemire deal. The two didn’t mesh well in Phoenix, where Stoudemire struggled to find space alongside Shaq.

The Cavs would probably have to part with a package that includes center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes), forward J.J. Hickson(notes) and a possible first-round draft pick. Cleveland is also engaged in discussions for several forwards, including Washington’s Antawn Jamison(notes) and Indiana’s Troy Murphy(notes).

Privately, Stoudemire’s preferred destination is the Miami Heat, where he could pair with superstar Dwyane Wade(notes) in a far more warmer climate. Heat president Pat Riley has been relentless in his desire to make a deal for Stoudemire. He’s made available everyone on his roster but Wade, and yet it appears Miami’s offers simply aren’t attractive to the Suns.

What doesn’t hurt Cleveland’s chances to land Stoudemire is the relationship between the two GMs: Kerr and Cleveland’s Danny Ferry. They were teammates with the San Antonio Spurs and remain close friends. Over the past two years, the Suns have been sellers and the Cavs buyers, and they’ve been able to do business together – including last summer’s Shaq trade.

Eric Taylor wrote: Is it really worth getting Amare to give up a player like Hickson?

Eric Taylor wrote: Is it really worth getting Amare to give up a player like Hickson?

Eric Taylor wrote: Is it really worth getting Amare to give up a player like Hickson?

se-alum wrote: I will say this, I'm not unhappy with any deal the Cavs seemingly have on the table right now. I would love to have Amar'e, and definitely wouldn't mind getting Murphy, since we wouldn't be giving up anything. Also, I wouldn't be mad if the Cavs done nothing.

bases_loaded wrote:

Eric Taylor wrote: Is it really worth getting Amare to give up a player like Hickson?

STFU

Really? Is it worth giving up and unproven 21 year old for an ALL STAR 27 year old?