I have been following the NBA free agency free-for-all this week. July 1 was the first day that teams were able to talk with free agents (other than a player's own team). Free agents cannot sign contracts until July 8. The two mega-superstars of this year's free agent class are LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Any player with an opt-out had to make the decision before July 1. Amare Stoudemire opted out of the final year of his $17+ million contract, which was expected, as did Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and, unexpectedly, Richard Jefferson. One of the reasons for opting out this year is that the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires after next season and the players are trying to lock in longer term deals before the new CBA is effective or there is a lock-out.
As a Phoenix Suns fan, I knew that there were mixed feeling about giving Amare Stoudemire a maximum contract ($120 million over 6 years) because of his microfracture knee injury and multiple eye injuries, but more importantly, his lack of rebounding and defense, which may be an indication of lack of desire. I am a big Amare fan, but the rebounding and defense frustrate the heck out of me. He is one of the most physically gifted athletes in professional basketball, but he can just disappear on the defensive end of the floor. In my perfect world, the Suns would engineer a "sign and trade" deal with the Dallas Mavericks for Dirk Nowitzki, one of Steve Nash's closest friends, or with the Toronto Raptors for Chris Bosh. However, I think that the only time Mark Cuban or Bryan Colangelo makes a deal with the Suns is when hell freezes over! My back-up plan would be a sign and trade with the New York Knicks for David Lee. But once again I do not see Mike D'Antonio being very interested in making a deal with the Suns.
At this point it seems likely that Amare will be going to the Knicks and the Suns will get nothing in return. The Suns re-signed Channing Frye and expect to sign Hakeem Warrick. Hakeem averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds playing 21 minutes per game for Chicago after he was traded from Milwaukee. Unless the Suns pull something out of their collective hats it could be a long basketball season next year.
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