In Regards to the Future

There has been much talk around here about what we think the Suns should do with the offseason.  While many people have differing views, I think one thing is certain: there needs to be certainty.  With this past season being broken up into different pieces (the "slow down and play defense" style, the "Porter gives up and turns the ball over to Nash" style, and the "7 Seconds or Shaq" style), it's been tough to really see what this group can do together.  We've all seen flashes of greatness (beating the Lakers after Amaré goes down with the eye injury), as well as moments of despair (losing to the worst team in the NBA while fighting for a playoff spot), but I'm here to offer my opinion as to what the Suns should do in the offseason.

First, I'll break down the roster:

Ed Note: Nice breakdown. Expect to see more of this after the season ends as well and especially after the May 19th lottery and we know who's drafting where and what deals might be appealing to move up in the draft.

::STARTERS::

Steve Nash: If we can get a young (2-3 years experience), decently talented point guard in return, I say we go for it.  He's the heart and soul of the team, but after we decide what mode we'll be in next year (rebuilding or gut it out with the current roster), we can decide what to do with our aging veterans.

Jason Richardson: Here's the debate: he's put up sick numbers (minus the 2-11, 4 point performance against Utah) since the Barbosa injury, but is he really that vital to the team?  Can we get draft picks in return?  If we can, we should.

Grant Hill: We keep him.  He's found new life in his legs, and he's on track to play all 82 games, something he's never done in his career (I'm knocking on wood, don't worry).  He's rejuvenated, he likes Phoenix, and he likes the way things have gone since Gentry took over.  Why not keep him around, even if he does want a little more than the veteran's minimum?  If we're getting rid of some of our other marquee players, we'll have a little more money to throw at a guy who is more than deserving.

Amaré Stoudemire: Oh, Amaré.  He has never ceased to be one of the most enigmatic players in the NBA.  The Gentry era started with a bang from him, until he was tragically sidelined with eye surgery.  From the way he's talked about it, and the way the doctors have urged him to be careful, I'm a little wary of that eye.  If he can come back (and actually commit to wearing the goggles full time) and dominate as usual, sure, hang onto the guy.  If not, might as well sell him for what we can.  In my opinion, he's the most unsure part of the Suns' picture right now.  Right now, he's our biggest piece.  He's the one we can get the most return for.  He's the one that, if we decide to rebuild, should be traded for future talents.

Shaquille O'Neal: We keep Shaq through his contract and see what he wants after that.  My guess is that no one will be offering him the $20 million he's making right now, even if he plays next year like he did this year.  He's playing better than his championship year in Miami, but honestly...$20 million is just too much.  I could see him getting something close to $13 million, if he can prove that he can keep up this years' pace (or improve on it).  We'll see once his contract expires.

::BENCH::

Leandro Barbosa: Keep him as long as possible.  Rarely do you find his talent, work ethic, and speed all in on package.  I don't think it's unfair to say that Barbosa is (or should be) the future of this franchise.  The willingness he shows to improve and work at his deficiencies impresses me.  And, on top of that, he's shown me this year that he actually might be able to play a little point guard.  He and Shaq work well together, and even though he's more of a combo guard, he can still run the point adequately.  Decision making has always been a problem of his, but I've seen that improve this year.

Matt Barnes: If we can get him some serious treatment for his Kobebryantosis, I say we give him a shot.  When he's on, he's on.  He's proven that he can put up good numbers.  However, when he's off, he still thinks he's on, and therein lies the problem.  When he's not feelin' it, he still forces his shots, expecting them to fall.  If he can learn to differentiate between the two, I say we give him a small offer.  If he rejects that (or can't break out of his "I love to shoot the basketball, even if it's detrimental to the team" style), let him go.

Louis Amundson: The biggest surprise of the season.  Keep Amundson, so long as we can keep him for a reasonable price.  His free throw shooting is horrific (he makes shaq look like Steve Nash, at times), and his talent is a little iffy, but you won't find someone that gives as much effort as he does when he's on the court.  He's a very good bench player, and seems to have found his niche in the current Suns system.  If he can improve a few things this summer, I don't see why we don't take a chance on him.  Plus, he's a fan favorite, something we're going to need if we decide to blow things up and suck for a few years.

Jared Dudley: I think we should keep Dudley for the rest of the contract we have for him, and then reevaluate.  He's a solid bench player, and even though he's not the most talented, can't jump the highest, and isn't the fastest player on the court, he does give effort.  He commits to grabbing rebounds.  He tries to make good decisions while he's on the floor.  That's more than we can say for a few of our other starters, at times...(ahem, Amaré).

Goran Dragic: I've always been high on Dragic.  He's always shown flashes of what he can do.  On top of that, he's one of our only true young prospects, and since he's been showing a little more confidence as of late, I've been impressed.  Keep him.

Robin Lopez: Here's the deal: we won't get anything of value in return for Lopez.  Maybe some cash considerations, maybe a second round draft pick, but after his less than stellar year, no one is going to want to take him off our hands.  We might as well see if he can start to put things together and be a rotation player.

Alando Tucker: If any of you have read anything else I post around here, you'll know how high I am on Tucker.  With Richardson and Barbosa around, he hasn't had much of a shot to really step into the role he was bound to get before his injury.  He's a smart player, he's unselfish, he's a hard worker, and he's a good locker room presence with his humorous attitude.  Keep him.

Stromile Swift: Eh, he was just a rental anyway.  Let him go.

::COACH::

Alvin Gentry: Keep Gentry and give him the full time offer.  He has shown that he knows who the hot hand is, and he has proven that he can still give the bench playing time and develop players and still win.  Since our bench hasn't had much actual playing time together, things are a bit chaotic at times, but even ESPN has noted the spark the bench has given us.

Alright.  Now that I've broken down the entire roster and given you more of my thoughts than you probably ever cared to hear (if you actually made it all the way through that, I give you major kudos), it's time to hear what you think.  I'm optimistic for the Suns' future, and I think that this offseason could keep us at a championship caliber, if we make the right moves.