untouchable unless there’s a gasol-like steal available.

he’s got work ethic. he’s got heart. he’s got an attractive contract for what we use him for. and, honestly, how much of a market is there for him? i don’t think we’d be able to get equal value in return.

that, and i think that we should base our rebuilding efforts around him. we drafted dragic and lopez last year (both of which have yet to prove to us that they aren’t busts) and clark and griffin this year (which, like any draftee, will just take time to see). i presume amaré will be gone before the season starts, but if not, he’ll be gone at the end of his contract unless we offer him that max extension, which i doubt we will. so, who does that leave us with, as far as people under the age of 30 (assuming amaré is gone and we don’t resign barnes)?

earl clark, 21; robin lopez, 21; goran dragic, 23; jared dudley, 24; alando tucker, 25; louis amundson (26, 27 in december); leandro barbosa (26, 27 in november); jason richardson, 28.

out of those, i’d only consider maybe (emphasis on maybe) rebuilding around richardson or rebuilding around barbosa. thus, if the trade rumors go through, and amaré is indeed in something other than a suns’ uniform next year, we’ll need someone young and promising that we can actually hold onto. hence, barbosa should not be put on the trade block, at all.