Amare Stoudemire has been at the top of the rumor list for sometime now. He has been criticized for his lack of effort on the defensive side of the court but nobody can deny that he is one of the best scoring forwards in the game. Then newest rumor circulating is sending Amare to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson and the 6th overall pick in the draft. This trade works out well for both teams and is in discussion between the two franchises. Let’s break down this deal from both angles and see how it can benefit both teams.

The Wolves would receive one of the best scoring power forwards in the game today and instantly receive name recognition in the NBA that they have so badly wanted. They have not had that star since deciding to depart with Kevin Garnett a couple years back. We all know how that deal went for both teams. They would have an immediately unstoppable scoring presence on the inside. Amare for his career is averaging 21.4 points 8.10 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game and is under contract next year for $16,378,325 and has a player option for the following season that would pay him $17,686,100. Amare is entering his seventh year in the league after making the jump straight from high school and will be seeking a max contract after this season from any team willing to show him the money. However they will have to make more deals then that to make them a playoff potential team.

After the Timberwolves decided to part ways with Kevin McHale today it is obvious that the team is looking to go in a new direction under their new President of Basketball Operations David Kahn. This trade could put them in that new direction and they would have a pivotal player to build a team around.

The Suns would receive the services of Al Jefferson who was traded a couple years ago from Boston in exchange for Kevin Garnett. He is a defensive and rebounding upgrade from Amare Stoudemire but does not possess the same athleticism and offensive ability that Stat can bring for you. Big Al has averaged 23.1 points 11.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game throughout his career and is under contract for the next four years at $12,000,000 per season and increasing $1,000,000 per year thereafter. Al is entering his fifth year in the NBA and could add a great defensive toughness to the Phoenix Suns. He has the potential to be a star in this league for years to come.

Another issue to discuss with this potential deal is the major injuries that both of these players are currently recovering from. Amare partially tore his retina and suffered optic nerve damage during the season and missed the last half. This is a very serious injury and if it does not heal properly could inhibit his vision for the rest of his life. However the good news is that all indications are that Stat will have a full recovery and be ready to go come preseason. Because of the severity of his injury he has vowed to wear eye protection for the rest of his career. Big Al suffered one of the worst injuries a basketball player can get. He is currently recovering from a torn ACL but also is ahead of schedule and should be back to 100% by preseason. It is also worth mentioning that Amare has already previously suffered a very dangerous knee injury by recovering from his micro fracture surgery from a few years ago.  These injuries are issues that both teams should closely look at before making this potential deal.

The other pivotal point to this trade that really entices the Phoenix Suns is that it includes the Wolves 6th overall pick in this year’s draft. This deal would give the Suns the 6th and the 14th overall pick. This would allow them to pick up young talent and start the rebuilding process since everyone knows as constructed this is not a championship team. There are a handful of great point guards and athletic big men available in this draft and could be a huge opportunity to begin to rebuild this team for the future.

Both teams can see how this trade can send them in the new direction they are desperately seeking and overall this trade can benefit both teams greatly. What are your opinions on this potentially franchise changing move that is in discussion by these two teams?