The Phoenix Suns have made some questionable moves in the past few years, including selling away their draft picks.

Now they are in a position that this draft pick could essentially bridge this era to the next for them.  Who are they going to tab as their future? 

• Louis Amundson (Team Option - Restricted)
• Matt Barnes (Unrestricted)
• Grant Hill (Unrestricted)
• Stromile Swift (Unrestricted)

All four of these players could demand a nice salary increase this summer and the Suns are hurting for cap space.  Grant Hill has said that he would like to finish with the Suns, so it is just a question of whether he will sign for a discount now. 

Depth Chart (Pre-Draft)

PG:  Steve Nash - Goran Dragic
SG:  Jason Richardson - Leandro Barbosa
SF:  Alando Tucker - Jared Dudley
PF:  Amare Stoudemire
C:  Shaquille O'Neal - Robin Lopez

Draft Picks (Mock Picks)

• 14th overall - Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina - Lawson will come in and learn from one of the best at the point guard position.  He will be the heir apparent to Steve Nash's spot when Nash leaves.  Lawson can handle the pressure and is an experienced player.
• 48th overall - Josh Heytvelt, PF, Gonzaga - Heytvelt will provide some front court depth for this team, but probably not a whole lot more.  He can knock down an opener jumper all the way out to the three point line, but consistency and drive is what will hold him back.
• 57th overall - Paul Harris, SF, Syracuse - Harris can be a combination of Grant Hill and Matt Barnes for this team.  He can does a lot of things well, but nothing spectacular.  Has a high motor and can get after his man on defense.  Great pick this late in the draft.

Depth Chart (Post-Draft)

PG:  Steve Nash - Ty Lawson
SG:  Jason Richardson - Leandro Barbosa
SF:  Alando Tucker - Jared Dudley - Paul Harris
PF:  Amare Stoudemire - Josh Heytvelt
C:  Shaquille O'Neal - Robin Lopez

Players on Trade Block

• Shaquille O'Neal
• Amare Stoudemire

It seems that one of these two players are going to be heading out of town, but which will it be?  I think I'd try to move Stoudemire, because he will bring the most back in a trade. 

Final Analysis

This team is on the verge of a major rebuild if Stoudemire, Nash, and O'Neal are gone in the next few seasons.  They need to start thinking about the future right now.  Steve Kerr might not be around next draft if they don't make the playoffs this year.

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