Dr. Trade: One Trade, Two Fixes for the Suns and Hawks

This article represents two "firsts" for the Dr. Trade Feature.  It is the first hypothetical trade to involve only two teams thus far, and it is the first time that I have written in five days.  My sincere apologies on the second point, (wedding weekends will do that to you), and hopefully your morbid curiosity has been piqued as to the first detail.

Without further ado, let's delve into a "change of scenery" scenario that I feel would do both players and franchises a world of good.  It's time for more expert-level analysis with Dr. Trade!

 

Trade

Atlanta gets: F/C Amare Stoudemire (from Phoenix)

Phoenix gets: F Josh Smith & G/F Maurice Evans (from Atlanta)

 

Background

Are the Hawks still relevant in a conference that has seen the Magic, Celtics, and Cavs make serious reloads?  A conference where the Raptors, Wizards, and Bulls have gotten healthier and more talented?

Are the Suns still relevant in a conference where the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavericks all made significant moves to contend?  A conference where the Blazers, Nuggets, Jazz, and Hornets will continue to win, and where the Clippers and Warriors are intriguing competitors?

Do Josh Smith and Amare Stoudemire really want to be in their current locations any longer, given the near-continuous shopping that their GMs have engaged in?  Do either of those players give enough to their teams to get them over the top?

I think, that with a possible exception to the first question, I would answer all four of these queries with a resounding, "no."

This is a situation where neither of these teams is going to get better by standing pat.  Both of these squads could offer a "fresh-start" for an incoming player who would be a better fit for them anyways.

 

Rationale: Atlanta

The Hawks roster definitely has a talented enough starting lineup to compete, but too thin of a bench to get them over the top.  Does this trade fix that depth problem?  Not necessarily, but it instead gets even more production from the starting unit.

Amare Stoudemire would give Atlanta a more offensively conventional and well-rounded Power Forward.  Amare is a guy who can score on the block, (very much needed by the Hawks), and is also an effective finisher on the break, (very much used by this roster).

Atlanta's half-court offense has been abysmal, largely in part to Josh Smith's limitations there.  Stoudemire not only helps to fix that issue, but his own one-on-one defensive shortcomings would be eased by having Al Horford alongside him.  This means that Horford can take the tougher matchup, allowing Stoudemire to roam help-side.

Atlanta needs to keep doing what they do best—getting out to run—but they also need to address their half-court inabilities.  Stoudemire meets both of these needs.

 

Rationale: Phoenix

The Suns want to return to the frenetic paces of yesteryear.  The only problem is that yesteryear was a long time (and Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, and Shawn Marion) ago.  Stoudemire's general lack of enthusiasm and lackluster defense has been just one of many distractions and shortcomings that this roster has dealt with over the past few seasons.

I believe that Phoenix can return to their run-and-gun strategy in a more efficient way by employing a forward who is now a better fit for their style and current needs. 

I don't think that Josh Smith is a more complete (better) player than Stoudemire. However, I do think that he is not only a better finisher, but also a better and more engaged defender. 

Phoenix doesn't need Stoudemire's aspirations as a shooter; they already have Nash, Richardson, Frye, Barbosa, etc. for that.  What they need is an "X-Factor" player whose open-court basket attacks can open things up for the trailing shooters.

The Sun's fast pace will translate into other teams being able to run on them too.  They need a player who will defend in transition and ferociously protect the rim while on the move. 

Does that sound like Josh Smith to anyone?  I thought so.

Adding Maurice Evans to the deal is really more of a salary concern, but he is a usable rotation guy that helps to even out the fact that Stoudemire is better than Smith.  Phoenix can use him, and I don't think his departure would be a sticking point for Atlanta in this deal.

 

Verdict

Man, these guys are young!  Despite both having substantial NBA tenures and résumé’s, Josh Smith is still only 23 years old, and Stoudemire is 26!

I like how this deal could help both teams, but I'll give the slight edge in the swap to Atlanta.  Acquiring a newly-motivated Stoudemire would help the Hawks stay well within the East's playoff race.  They might even be dangerous enough to steal a round or two.

Don't count out what this could do for the Suns, though.  The West is still the tougher eight to crack, but Smith would be a better fit for the Suns to get there.  If they're going to go with this running thing again, they need to go all out.  What's more, he's a more realistic building block for Phoenix to begin restructuring around.

Trust me on this one.  After all, I am a Doctor.

- "Doctor Trade"