Cavs, Heat in Race for Stoudemire
At this point, just 48 hours away from the NBA’s trade deadline, it appears all but certain that All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire will be suiting up for a different team come Friday, as the Suns continue to field offers from teams.
This past Friday, during All-Star Weekend, executives for the Suns and Cavs met to discuss a Stoudemire trade, which would speculatively involve sending J.J. Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ expiring contract, and likely Cleveland’s first-round draft pick, in exchange for the All-Star Stoudemire. (The Cavs are hoping that whichever team they trade Ilgauskas to, that team will waive Big Z for cap relief, allowing him to return to Cleveland in 30 days.)
While Cleveland was reportedly shopping for a “stretch 4” (someone who can knock down long-range jumpers and three-pointers consistently) such as Troy Murphy or Antawn Jamison, they’d be hard pressed to turn down an All-Star starter for a second-year player.
The Heat, in the meantime, have reportedly turned up their offers for Amar’e after hearing that the Cavs and Suns were nearing a deal. Much like the Cavs are desperate for incentives for LeBron James to stay with them past this season, the Heat are looking to land a star alongside Dwyane Wade to convince him to stay in Miami.
The Heat drafted Michael Beasley last year after he absolutely dominated the NCAA for a year, but Beasley’s pro prospects haven’t been nearly as hot yet. Reportedly, the Heat are willing to move him, along with one or both of their first round draft picks in a deal for Stoudemire.
