Is it too early...

to start thinking about the draft and the 2009-2010 season?

As a Suns fan, I wish it were.  Gentry would help Shaq, Amar'e and Nash go all the way and win the title.  But chances are, it won't happen.  Even if it does, the team's going to still need to look towards the near future.

Many analysts believe there will come a time soon that the Suns will have to blow the team up.  The 3 key players on the team will all hit free agency come 2010. 

So here's my somewhat radical solution. 

First, I'm against trading Amar'e.  He's immensely talented, and I think will be a guy who you can give the ball to and he'll score. 

Instead of blowing the team and start from scratch, I say scrap off a section, rebuild it, and next year, do the same.  Not clear?  Don't take out the heart of the team, but rebuild the primary bench with young guys from the draft, hopefully setting in place part of the future starting lineup.  The draft seems to be severely overlooked by the Suns, which is stupid seeing how some of the best teams (Spurs) have achieved their great success with drafted players in the late first round.  In other sports, the most efficient teams (Red Sox, Pats, Colts) have achieved their greatness through terrific drafting. 

In my solution, Shaq, Nash, and Stat will stay.  The biggest player to go is Leandro Barbosa. I may be completely overrating his value, but I think that along with a 2nd rounder, he can net a 1st rounder from New York and their 2nd rounder.  Use this 1st pick on Gerald Henderson - a guy who defends and is a fine scorer.

The Suns would use their own pick on Tulsa Center Jerome Jordan, a 7 footer who is also an above-average defender.  Offensively, he shows flashes, but he won't be expected to be a dominant post scorer.  We'll have Amar'e for that.  I realize that this may sound like Fropez, but I think Jordan has far more offensive upside.

Oklahoma was multiple first-round selections this year, and one of them is the Spurs' pick (thank you Kurt Thomas).  I'm sure they'll listen to offers.  We already don't have a 1st rounder in the 2010 draft.  But through trades, I think we have a couple 2nd rounders.  Frankly, I think we should give up on that draft.  We have the Charlotte pick, but I think drafting guys this year will be a lot more useful.  While 2009 draft is perceived as weak on impact talent, it has many seasoned college players who could play in the NBA.  If we take the Charlotte 2010 pick, our 2010 2nd rounder, the 2nd rounder from New York, and the 2009 2nd rounder from Orlando, the Suns could trade for the Spurs 1st rounder and OKC's 2nd rounder.  Why they'd do it - the 2010 draft is said to have better players, so OKC will like that, and they have enough picks this draft, that they'll probably draft some guy and never play him. So the Spurs pick will be used on the athletic Sam Young.  Another guy who plays defense, and is versatile offensively. The 2nd rounder - AJ Price.   A backup PG who's probably closer to NBA-ready than Goran.

Synopsis:

Leandro Barbosa, 2010 2nd rounder, 2009 2nd rounder, 2009 2nd rounder from Orlando, 2010 2nd rounder from Charlotte, and 2009 1st rounder for

Jerome Jordan (2009 1st rounder [20-25]), Sam Young (2009 1st rounder from Thunder from Spurs [25-30]), A.J. Price (2009 2nd rounder from Thunder [31-35]), and Gerald Henderson (2009 1st rounder from Knicks [10-15])

Roster:

C Shaquille O'Neal, C Jerome Jordan, C Robin Lopez, PF Amar'e Stoudemire, F/C Lou Amundson, F Sam Young, F Grant Hill (re-sign), F Jared Dudley, G/F Gerald Henderson, G/F Alando Tucker, G/F Jason Richardson, PG Steve Nash, PG A.J. Price, PG Goran Dragic

Overall losses: Barbosa (trade), Barnes (free agency)