Amare Stoudemire Would Not Help The Bulls

He'd make the team more explosive on offense, but that's it

By TOM FORNELLI

Updated 5:01 PM CST, Fri, Feb 6, 2009

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So the Phoenix Suns are open to the idea of trading their power forward Amare Stoudemire, and of course upon hearing this news in Chicago, every Bulls fan withing a 200-mile radius of the United Center is saying "Yes, please" while frothing at the mouth. It's hard to blame anyone for feeling this way, as it's only natural.

After all, what is the one thing that the Bulls have been missing since trading Elton Brand to the Clippers on a draft night most Bulls fans have tried to block out of their memories? A low-post presence on the offensive end. If Amare Stoudemire is anything, it's a low-post presence on the offensive end that when paired with a player like Derrick Rose could set off fireworks that would have the masses inside the United Center oohing and aahing for years to come.

That's all they'd do though.

Besides from looking at the reason why Amare would look so good in a Bulls uniform, the Bulls should ask themselves why the Suns are so willing to part with a player they considered a franchise cornerstone only a few short seasons ago. Think about it, Stoudemire had microfracture surgery on his knees back in 2005, which makes future knee problems a legitimate concern. Still, even if Amare was guaranteed health while in Chicago, he wouldn't make the Bulls a better team.

While he's a monster on the offensive end, Stoudemire seems to be totally uninterested in playing defense and he's not that strong of a rebounder. Plus, he has a bit of a reputation for being a malcontent who doesn't take too kindly to coaches wanting him to learn how to play defense. This is why he has been unhappy in Phoenix this season since Mike D'Antoni left for New York and Terry Porter let the Suns know that basketball is played on both sides of the court.

So is that what the Bulls really need? Another player who doesn't want to play defense and doesn't listen to his coaches?

Then there's the fact that Stoudemire will want a contract extension if he comes here, and considering what the Bulls would have to give up to get him, they'd practically have to sign him to one to justify the trade. This would leave the Bulls with absolutely no flexibility after the 2010 season when the greatest free agent class in league history hits the market. A class Stoudemire would be a part of if he doesn't get that extension.

The Bulls would be better served to let Stoudemire land elsewhere -- maybe Detroit -- and try to see if they could pry Chris Bosh away from the Raptors. There are a lot of reports coming out of Toronto that Bosh will likely sign elsewhere after the 2010 season, and he'd look a lot better in a Bulls jersey than Stoudemire ever would.

Of course, the key obstacle in a trade for either of these guys would be convincing other teams that players like Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas are talent they actually want.

When not creating or shooting down trade ideas for NBCCHICAGO.com, Tom Fornelli can be found contributing at FanHouse, SPORTSbyBROOKS, and his own Chicago sports blog Foul Balls.