Amare Not Feeling Golden State

By JOE KUKURA

Updated 5:15 PM PST, Wed, Jul 1, 2009

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The Amare Stoudemire to the Golden State Warriors dream got a rude awakening Wednesday, as multiple sources are reporting that Stoudemire just isn't that into being a Golden State Warrior.

The Dubs' pursuit of Stoudemire had been the rumor du jour these last couple days, as the Warriors were reportedly working on a package of several players to deal for the moody Phoenix power forward/center. The Warriors were reportedly unwilling to do the deal unless they could sign Stoudemire to an extension beyond the one season left on his contract.

Amare is not necessarily refusing the trade, but sources say he's unwilling to bite on a contract extension with Golden State. The very plugged-in Tim Kawakami notes in Wednesday's Mercury News that "Stoudemire has not discussed a contract extension with the Warriors and that he would not sign one with them, even if it's for the maximum allowable."

Stoudemire reportedly feels the Warriors' talent cupboard would be left too empty if the team gave up Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli, and another player to get him. I guess he feels there's some other NBA team somewhere that can trade $15 million in 2009-10 salary for him without giving up any substantial talent.

Cold water is also being thrown by Scott Howard-Cooper at SI.com, who notes that "Stoudemire can miss the playoffs without leaving Phoenix." Ha ha, very funny, Mr. Gavin Newsom hairdo.

Buuut seriously, Howard-Cooper does have a point that "Stoudemire wants to remain at power forward, his natural position." The Dubs would need to move Stoudemire to center because they'd be giving up Biedrins. The Warriors would essentially lack a true center, with Stoudemire, Ronny Turiaf, and Anthony Morrow all performing as hybrids in some crazy concoction from Don Nelson's gameplan lab. Those crazy concoctions do work sometimes.

It would have been a trade fraught with risk for both sides, particularly considering the Warriors would be trading within the division. And frankly, maybe the last thing the Warriors need is another guy who's definitely leaving at the end of his contract.

Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who's too short to play center and doesn't rebound enough to play power forward.