NBA Trade Rumors: Cavs' Deal for Antawn Jamison Puts Heat in Driver's Seat

With Cleveland dropping out of the Amar'e Stoudemire sweepstakes and instead opting for Washington's Antwan Jamison, Miami remains the only known suitor for Phoenix's All-Star power forward. 

The Cavaliers, Wizards, and Clippers completed a three-team deal that sent Jamison and Sebastian Telfair to Cleveland, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Al Thornton, and Brian Skinner to Washington, and Drew Gooden to Los Angeles. The Cavs also sent their first-round pick to the Wizards.

The ripple effect will probably make some headlines soon.

With Cleveland's offer of Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson off the table, the Phoenix Suns are left at a serious disadvantage. And Heat President Pat Riley will pounce on them like a shark. The Suns are serious about moving Stoudemire and while they won't just hand him over, his price just went down. 

Cleveland's offer was Steve Kerr's leverage to up the anti, but the chips are on the other side of the table now. The Heat have apparently offered Mario Chalmers, Daequan Cook, Dorell Wright, Quintin Richardson, and a first-round pick. That offer may not be as appealing as Cleveland's was, but right now its the best one out there. The deal would give the Suns three young players and $11.8 million in expiring contracts.

Is Stoudemire worth more than that? Probably, but circumstances dictate value and right now they aren't great for the Suns.

If Phoenix doesn't pull the trigger they'll risk losing Stoudemire for nothing in the offseason. He's been unhappy with his role on the team for years and while at times he's kept it to himself, on others Stoudemire has made his issues public. He will leave this summer, there's little doubt about it.

Both sides appear to be comfortable with a divorce, but Kerr wants to make sure his franchise isn't left empty handed when its all said and done.

So far the Suns have balked at anything the Heat has offered and most trade talks had them trying to pawn off Jason Richardson and the $14.4 million he's owed next season. Miami isn't biting though. Maybe Phoenix is holding out for Michael Beasley, maybe they're hoping another team will join the mix, but either way time is running out.

The closer Thursday's 3:00 PM trade deadline comes without another offer, the better Miami's will start looking. 

If the Heat were to add Stoudemire without trading Beasley, it may complicate their ability to add a third max free agent to the mix this summer though. Miami would have $6.7 on the books assuming James Jones is released and Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade opted out.

After re-signing both All-Stars, there may not be enough room left depending on where the cap falls next season (its expected to be between $50-53 million). So its possible the Heat's standing offer only exists to make one including Beasley look more appealing. 

While team owner Micky Arison has insisted Michael Beasley is not being shopped, talk around the league says otherwise. The Heat would love to keep Beasley, but don't be surprised if his name enters the mix to get a deal done. The Suns are reported to have no interest in the second-year forward, but that may change soon.

The clock is ticking in Steve Kerr's office and as he waits for his phone to ring, every passing minute must make Miami's offer more appealing to him. Chalmers has regressed this season, but the 23-year old is nowhere near his ceiling and could excel in spot duty behind Steve Nash. Wright has struggled for the first four years of his career, but the 24-year old is starting to emerge as Miami's top small forward and perimeter defender.

Cook is a former champion of the Three-Point Shootout and like the names above, he's young and still developing. The Suns love to stretch the floor, Cook and Richardson would fit right in. On top of that, Phoenix would be committed to just $2.1 million in contracts next season. Only Cook is signed through 2010-11. 

Yes, the Suns would like more than young role players with potential, but right now Riley has kept his best chip off the table. Beasley may yet end up being the piece that seals it, but without leverage Phoenix might have to settle for what they can. With the Cavs moving on, Pat Riley is the only person still calling.