Everyone can calm down now, Amare is not going anywhere just yet.  Marc Spears of the Boston Globe reported in his blog that “an NBA executive told the Boston Globe that the Timberwolves and Suns are working on a trade that would send Al Jefferson and the Wolves’ sixth draft pick to Phoenix in exchange for Amare Stoudemire.” Of course the media at large jumped on this and was basically reporting this as fact. However, as John Gambadoro at KTAR confirmed this morning, this rumor is completely unsubtantiated.

The thought of this trade for Suns fans is exciting, trading the incredibly talented but often injured Amare Stoudemire for rising star Al Jefferson (who is currently recovering from knee surgery) and the #6 pick in this year’s draft. However, this trade is unbelievably one-sided for the Phoenix Suns and there is simply no way the Minnesota Timberwolves would give up their future for Amare Stoudemire who only has one year left on his contract and has expressed interest in reuniting with Mike D’Antoni in New York. In addition, Amare is coming off season ending eye surgery and will have to wear goggles for the rest of his career. Al Jefferson when healthy is simply a better overall player than Stoudemire. Jefferson can dominate on offense in the post and can play solid defense on the other end of the floor. The Suns are well aware of Jefferson’s talents as he has torched the Suns over the recent years. Last year, Jefferson faced the Suns twice and averaged 25 points and 14.5 rebounds against them. Then there is the #6 pick in the draft this year. This pick could produce the likes of Stephen Curry, Demar DeRozan, Jordan Hill and Brandon Jennings.

As I have been saying this whole off-season, Amare would be very difficult to move coming off eye-surgery and coming into the final year of his contract. The only way a trade would be feasible is if a playoff team would trade for him; assuming he will play his butt off this season trying to earn a maximum contract in 2010. The Timberwolves simply do not meet this criteria.

Back in reality, the Suns are working out players this week (June 20th) in preparation for the Draft. It looks as if it is down to 3 frontrunners at the 14th pick: SF James Johnson of Wake Forest, SF Earl Clark of Louisville and SF Austin Daye of Gonzaga. Austin Daye is the wild-card here for sure. He is 6’11 and only 192 lbs. NBA scouts love his skills but he was pushed around even at Gonzaga, in the NBA he is going to get blown over by the wind of players whizzing past him. Anyway, you look at it the rumors about the Suns are going to continue through draft night and likely longer with big names Shaquille O’Neal and Amare Stoudemire on the market.