Phoenix Suns To Say Goodbye to Shaq and Steve Nash?

The World Famous LayupDrill Rumor Mill
May 19, '09

There are only four teams left in the NBA playing, yet the teams that aren’t are making all the noise on a Tuesday morning.

We will start in Dallas, where rumors are circulating via the Dallas Morning News that the deal that almost happened before the All-Star break involving Shaquille O’ Neal could go down now.

The proposed trade would have Phoenix sending Shaq to the Mavericks for Erick Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse. Stackhouse would like go the route of many veterans past their prime and get bought out, which would give the Suns salary cap relief.

With that money, the Suns could then re-sign Amare Stoudemire to a long-term deal and build around him for the future.

Surprisingly, another Sun that may be on his way out is Steve Nash. Marc Stein of ESPN reports that five teams are at the top of the list of potential suitors for the former MVP, with the Blazers being the one with the best prospects to send back to Phoenix.

Stein proposes a possible deal that would have Travis Outlaw and Jerryd Bayless headed to the Suns for Nash, thus helping Portland with a veteran, and bringing in youth to play alongside Amare.

The Boston Globe reports today that the Celtics will not rush to do anything regarding their free agent situation. Eddie House, Glen Davis, Stephon Marbury, Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt, and Mikki Moore are all free to go anywhere, and it is likely only half of them will be back in Boston next year.

The Utah Jazz have made their decision, and it seems that Paul Millsap is the answer. Our friend Tim Buckley at the Deseret News reports today that the Jazz have stated they will do whatever it takes to make certain they are able to retain reserve power forward Paul Millsap.

That, along with Jazz ownership questioning Boozer’s leadership and defense may just confirm what many thought anyway, that Carlos could be spending his fall and winter somewhere else next year.