Dear Amare,

I am writing this letter to you as a retrospective of your career here in Phoenix, as well as a speculation of your future. There will also be a petition to stay, though I would assume the decisions you're having to weigh are likely nearing the point of polarity. However, I'll save more talk on that for later in this letter. I would just like to offer another one of the countless requests to "Hey, just hear us out, man".

While one of my colleagues recently wrote an open letter to Robert Sarver, asking for answers, I would like to steal a line from him and do the same to you: Say, what the hell is going on? Much of the same sentiments shared in that letter are echoed here: your team was on the verge of an unexpected, truly amazing Finals berth, yet it hasn't seemed to sway you that this team could really be something special.

I know a lot of reporters and so-called "experts" like to report things that are merely speculation and pass them off as rumor. Those of us that are savvy enough to dig into the articles can usually find the difference between the two. Speculation is something one Mr. Adande or Sir Hollinger might think will happen, but there is no real truth to the reports. It's simply an opinion of the author. However, rumors, on the other hand, start somewhere. Usually quoted as "a source close to (Insert Player Name Here)", rumors are fun, but generally more dangerous.

So let me ask you, Amare, which is the most recent report from J.A. Adande? Is it speculation or is it rumor? Is there any truth to these reports? Actually, scratch that. I'll get to the point: Is the financial belt of Robert Sarver really bearing down on you, or are you simply wanting to pair yourself with a more attractive free agent for the possibility of more media exposure?

Be honest, Amare. We as Suns fans are in a very unstable part of our lives, and if there's one thing I've learned from past relationships, it's that being straight up and forward is the best policy. We'll always find out if you weren't being honest. It's better to rip the bandage off than beat around the bush, contemplating whether or not it's really time to take it off.

I will, however, offer these words to you: your career here in Phoenix has turned you into an All-Star, if not a superstar. The fans here need you. And, maybe most importantly, this team has shown you that it can win. If making it to the Western Conference Finals and losing to the eventual NBA Champions isn't close enough to give it another shot, by all means, try and win it all somewhere else. But if you leave for a team where you can be "the man" and fail, don't come crying back to us. You will know fully well what you're leaving when you make your decision.

Now, if I could choose a song to turn into a duet, and have you and I (referring to myself as the City of Phoenix, the Suns organization, and every fan who's supported you through your time here), it would be "Santa Monica" by Everclear. With some revisions, of course.

Verses 1, 2 and Chorus (Amare)

I am still living with your ghost
Lonely and dreaming of the West East Coast
I don't want to be your downtime
I don't want to be your stupid game

With my big black boots and an old suitcase
I do believe I'll find myself a new place
I don't want to be the bad guy
I don't want to do your sleepwalk dance anymore
I just want to see some palm trees
I will try and shake away this disease

We can live beside the ocean
Leave the fire behind
Swim out past the breakers
Watch the world die

Verses 3, 4 and Chorus (Suns)

I am still dreaming of your face
Hungry and hollow for all the things you took away
I don't want to be your good time
I don't want to be your fall-back crutch anymore

I'll walk right out into a brand new day
Insane and rising in my own weird way
We don't want to be the bad guy

I don't want to do your sleepwalk dance anymore
I just want to feel some sunshine
I just want to find some place to be alone

Chorus (Amare and the Suns, duet)

We can live beside the ocean
Leave the fire behind
Swim out past the breakers
Watch the world die

So, as you can see, Amare, both sides want clarity. You want us to commit to you for another 6 years and $150 million, and we want you to accept a little less (while still being fairly compensated) for another possible run at a championship. It's a messy situation, and both sides will have to make some compromises, but it could end up as a very rewarding situation. Or, you know, it could end horribly.

Since the ball is neither entirely in your court or our court, we'll just call this the jump ball.

Yours Truly,

Trevor Paxton