Trade Rumor: Three way being discussed with Raptors/Pistons/Suns

It is currently being reported that there is a possible three way trade in the works between the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, and Phoenix Suns. All three teams have been underachieving to this point, and all three have players that have been rumored to be on the trade block lately. The trade being discussed would have the Raptors sending their star player Chris Bosh to the Detroit Pistons, the Phoenix Suns sending their star power forward Amare Stoudemire to the Toronto Raptors, and the Detroit Pistons sending Tayshaun Prince to the Phoenix Suns.

I wouldn’t give the rumor too much credit at this point, as Bryan Colangelo has come out recently and stated they have no intentions of trading their star player Chris Bosh. Although Bosh shared similar sentiments with the press recently about not wanting to be traded, he wasn’t so convincing when asked what his plans were for the 2010 free agency. That is why I wouldn’t necessarily discredit this trade rumor entirely, because it’s quite possible that Colangelo may be considering moving Bosh now, to ensure he protects his team’s investment and avoids having Bosh just walk in 2010 without the Raptors receiving anything in return.

As for the Suns, it’s no secret that Amare Stoudemire is unhappy with his current situation playing second fiddle offensively alongside Shaquille O’Neal, and being criticized constantly for his poor defensive performances. Steve Kerr undoubtedly wants to either move Stoudemire before his 2010 free agency, or improve the situation ASAP around Stoudemire to woo him to resign with the Suns. If Kerr decides to build for the future he may choose to do the latter, however if he wants to take advantage of the latter part of the careers of the aging Steve Nash and Shaquille O’Neal and go for the chip right away, he may decide to move Stoudemire for the versatile forward Tayshaun Prince who is a great defender with length, but also a crafty scorer inside and outside. Prince can effectively play both the half-court game and the run and gun game, which would fit nicely with both Steve Nash and Shaquille O’Neal.

Now the Pistons are a little bit harder to read. I just don’t understand their logic in wanting to move Tayshaun Prince. Prince has not been as consistent for them this year as in previous years, however he is still one of their best defenders and ‘team guys’. If anything I would have thought the Pistons would be looking to move a combination of Rip Hamilton, Antonio McDyess, and/or Rasheed Wallace. Then again, with a shot to land a franchise young big man, who is a perennial all-star like Chris Bosh, I can understand Joe Dumars willing to give up some talent.

Could this trade actually go down? Will the GM’s of the Raptors, Pistons, and Suns pull the trigger on one of the most exciting three-way trades of young talent we’ve seen in the NBA in years? What are your thoughts on this rumor?