Should the Washington Wizards Trade for Amare Stoudemire?

After hiring Flip Saunders as head coach, Washington Wizards General Manager Ernie Grunfeld would love to accomplish many more things this offseason, before Washington heads into the 2009-10 NBA season.

First, he would love to win the NBA Draft Lottery next Tuesday. Washington has a 17.8 percent chance of winning the lottery. If they win the first pick, the Wizards would likely draft Oklahoma's Blake Griffin.

Second, Washington has about $76 million committed to players next season, which means the team will be over the salary cap, which is $71.5 million. Therefore, Washington will have to move a player or two to get beneath the cap.

The most obvious player Washington would love to move is center Etan Thomas, who will make about $7 million next season. Or, they could  look to deal guard Mike James, who will make about $6 million for next season.

Either way, Grunfeld will have to deal someone because Owner Abe Pollin has made it clear he doesn't want to pay the luxury tax.

Approaching the draft, Washington has two options: Ending up with the first pick and selecting Griffin, or trading the pick and bringing in a good veteran in return.

Then the question is, ''Well who are you going to trade for?" There are many possibilities Washington could look at.

The best situation for Washington would be to look to deal for Suns forward Amare Stoudemire.

Under one trade possibility, the Wizards get Stoudemire, while the Suns get the Wizards' first-round pick, Mike James, Etan Thomas, and Andray Blatch.

Washington would get back a very talented player in Stoudemire and be an elite team in the Eastern Conference next season. The Suns would save some money and would get a good player in the draft to help them down the road.

Although, it would also be a great addition if the Wizards were able to acquire Griffin. At the end of the day it all depends on three-time All Star Gilbert Arenas.

Arenas, who signed  a $111 million contract last summer, only played in two games this season. As a result, Washington tied for the worst record in franchise history.

The Wizards are hoping Arenas can finally step up and be a leader. They also want him to be a good defender and lead them to the playoffs.

Time is running out for Washington. If they want to make a run, this is the time.