So much for being able to sign a max FA if Amare walks...

[MaryvalesFinest]

This question was posted on a Hoopsworld chat:

Larry in Scottsdale, Az.:
Be Steve Kerr asnd Robert Sarver for a minute. Amare comes in around trade deadline and asks for a 5 yr. max deal of 104 M. What do you do? You can't aford to pay him that and can't afford to lose him.

Jason Fleming:

Interesting question. If I go on the assumption I don't want to pay him that much, it stands to reason I don't want to spend that much money at all, right? That means you may end up doing a sign-and-trade with a team with cap space and taking back a third or half the value. So what do you want? I'd be looking for someone who is a younger version of Amar'e, probably a first or second-year player on a rookie scale contract, plus a solid veteran post player - someone who can take up space but still run - and then draft picks, and they better be good ones. I'm thinking multiple #1s, and one of them better be lottery - no protection.

Look around, and I'm sure you can come up with some nice deals - and if one of those teams seems to be a post scorer away from being a playoff team, you might just have a nice fit. I have a team in mind - let's see if you guys can come up with who it is by leaving suggestions in the comments.

Beans/Randolph/Bell/non-protected 2010 1st round pick/2011 2nd round pick ?????

I'd be happy with just Beans and Randolph straight up. Amare said he didn't want to sign there but they probably will still do the deal to dump Beans contract with Randolph being the sweetner.

[RaisingArizona]

You don't trade an all star unless you get a kings ransom in return. We must get their 1st round un-protected as well. Randolph still is just a project.

[lilfishi22]

Beans/Randolph/Bell/non-protected 2010 1st round pick/2011 2nd round pick ?????

Where's the dotted line?

[Kerrsed]

Beans/Randolph/Bell/non-protected 2010 1st round pick/2011 2nd round pick ?????

Where's the dotted line?

X ....................................................

[rsavaj]

I'd want Curry instead of their pick.

[JohnVancouver]

I'd want Curry instead of their pick.

Still? He's struggling a bit now, isn't he? Though Nellie still loves him more than Monta.

I think I'd rather have the pick


Anyone see Gallinari tonight? Monstrous, and Jeffries looked like he ought to be a Sun, just the kind of guy we need

[dantian]

If I were GS, I'd be willing to give Suns Biedrins/Randolph/Curry and a #1 to get Amare after he agrees to extend with them. I firmly believe Amare/Ellis will make the most dynamic duo in NBA without equal. Get rid of Nelson and hire a real coach, this team could be a contender next year. (Amare/Maggette/Ellis would be better on offense than Boston's big 3 of their championship year. Sign J.O'Neil for MLE, with Turiaf, Azubuike, Watson, Morrow, Wright, this is a very good team already.)

[rsavaj]

I'd want Curry instead of their pick.

Still? He's struggling a bit now, isn't he? Though Nellie still loves him more than Monta.

I think I'd rather have the pick


Anyone see Gallinari tonight? Monstrous, and Jeffries looked like he ought to be a Sun, just the kind of guy we need

He is struggling a bit, but I think it's just the rookie wall. Oddly enough, I didn't really like him much earlier in the summer, but now that I've seen him play against NBA competition, I think he's going to be pretty effective as he continues to grow. Great shooter, surprisingly good passer. Major deficiency is his height(or lack thereof), but if he can get better off the ball(coming off curls and such a la Rip) and improve his PG skills, I think he'll be special.

Only example I could find of his highlights as a Warrior(his season debut): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEzSEYGR_q0

[Kerrsed]

I'd want Curry instead of their pick.

Still? He's struggling a bit now, isn't he? Though Nellie still loves him more than Monta.

I think I'd rather have the pick


Anyone see Gallinari tonight? Monstrous, and Jeffries looked like he ought to be a Sun, just the kind of guy we need

I'd rather have the pick too.

Gallinari aka The Big Cock was good tonight. I spent most of the night with my new brethren on the Knicks board/ game thread. Some good people over there. Having league pass, i have been watching the Knicks all season now, and think they could have a bright future. Chandler was a STUD tonight!

But im still a Suns fan 1st!

[nevetsov]

If I were GS, I'd be willing to give Suns Biedrins/Randolph/Curry and a #1 to get Amare after he agrees to extend with them. I firmly believe Amare/Ellis will make the most dynamic duo in NBA without equal. Get rid of Nelson and hire a real coach, this team could be a contender next year. (Amare/Maggette/Ellis would be better on offense than Boston's big 3 of their championship year. Sign J.O'Neil for MLE, with Turiaf, Azubuike, Watson, Morrow, Wright, this is a very good team already.)

+0.5

Although I must be the only guy here that thinks Anthony Randolph is overrated. I would never trade Amare (just like on my fantasy team!) but if he had to go I wouldn't accept anything less than Beans/ Curry and their #1 unprotected. Absolute minimum.

GS could push for a Maggette/ Randolph for Miller/ Outlaw:

Miller/ Watson
Ellis/ Morrow
Azubuike/ Outlaw
Radman/ Wright
Amare/ Turiaf

Can't believe I just wasted 5 minutes discussing the freaking Warriors though.

[Miklo]

and think they could have a bright future

..or it could just be that Cali reefa you be gettin in AZ

No I agree, they have some good pieces. I just don't think D'A is the solution for them as the head coach, as they need to consistently develop their young talent - they aren't contending so they don't need to give 5 players 48 minutes per game - while shelving young talent every few games.

[JohnVancouver]

and think they could have a bright future

..or it could just be that Cali reefa you be gettin in AZ

No I agree, they have some good pieces. I just don't think D'A is the solution for them as the head coach, as they need to consistently develop their young talent - they aren't contending so they don't need to give 5 players 48 minutes per game - while shelving young talent every few games.

Much as I like Mike as a guy and think he's a very good coach, that trait is surely going to bite him in the ass.