Come To Think of It...Amar'e Stoudemire to the Bulls? It Could Happen

Things that make you go hmmm...

Reports indicate that Chicago Bulls GM John Paxson is in talks with Phoenix Suns GM Steve Kerr about a possible trade for All-Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire.

I don't know about you, but if the Bulls acquire the 26-year old Stoudemire, who scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds on Friday, I'm down with that. This was his third double-double in the last six games.

Hey, the Bulls have to do something—anything—to improve a club that owner Jerry Reinsdorf recently called a "disaster."

Granted, they have won four out of five on this West Coast trip, but they have seen some weak opponents and caught the Hornets on a night they were missing All-Star point guard Chris Paul due to a groin strain.

The Bulls are a young team whose core is not as great as previously advertised.

Remember when Paxson wouldn't trade Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon or Luol Deng in any trade? We wouldn't consider Kobe Bryant (wouldn't have happened anyway) and we lost a chance to obtain Pau Gasol because Paxson fell in love with this trio.

As we have come to learn, none of them are All-Stars. And while I wouldn't trade all three for Stoudemire, I would certainly consider trading any or all of them in the right deal.

Now, Stoudemire doesn't play defense, we know that. But he probably would score  25-plus points per game without Shaquille O'Neal clogging the middle and with Derrick Rose feeding him the ball.

And Rose desperately needs a talented offensive player to play alongside. I have no doubt he's going to be a fine player once he has someone to pass to that can finish the deal on a regular basis.

Trade rumors are swirling around Stoudemire with the trade deadline now less than two weeks away. According to the Phoenix Suns website, "Stoudemire met with Suns GM Steve Kerr before Friday's shoot-around and was given no assurances that he won't be moved before next weekend's All-Star Game."

This is far from a done deal, however. The enigmatic 6'10", 250-pound forward is coveted by many teams, and Suns owner Robert Sarver still would have to sign off on dealing him.

One possibility is that the Suns would trade Stoudemire to the New York Knicks, reuniting him with Mike D’Antoni, Stoudemire's former coach in Phoenix.  

According to Yahoo! Sports, the Suns would want a combination of expiring contracts, a talented young player—preferably a forward—and draft picks in return for Stoudemire.

So, expect Drew Gooden and/or Larry Hughes, and Luol Deng to be part of the trade from the Bulls perspective.

Complicating matters, Stoudemire can opt out of his contract after the 2010 season. He makes $15 million this season and $16.3 million next season.

Another concern is how he would be in the clubhouse. He has clashed with Suns management over his diminished offensive role, and has openly criticized Shaq.

And, after a recent loss, Stoudemire said, "To keep losing these games the way we are, it’s not fun. I’m not used to it. It’s almost against my religion.” So how will he handle losing in Chicago?   

Still, it is an exciting possibility for the Bulls. Come to think of it, the Bulls are in no position to ignore any opportunity if it makes them better.