Making A Decision on Amar'e: The Phoenix Suns are expected to make the firing of Terry Porter official today, and will then name Alvin Gentry the interim head coach. Word is Suns' owner Robert Sarver put Porter's firing in motion himself and attempted to pressure GM Steve Kerr into coaching, but was convinced, according to sources near the situation, to name Gentry as the next coach. Gentry, a player favorite supposedly has committed to bring back the "Fun and Gun" offense, which could change Phoenix's plans with Amar'e Stoudemire. After last night's All-Star Game, Stoudemire sounded resigned to the idea that he would be traded and that it could happen as early as today. League sources in Phoenix have hinted that the long rumored deal between the Suns and Chicago could get consummated as early as today, a deal that would send the expiring contract of Drew Gooden, Thabo Sefolosha and Tyrus Thomas to the Suns in exchange for Amar'e Stoudemire. It's also believed that the Bulls would take on an additional player using their $5.4 million dollar traded player exception to help Phoenix reduce it's luxury tax exposure as the final concession to getting a deal. Ironically, Bulls' forward Drew Gooden was in Phoenix last night. Gooden smiled at the notion of a trade saying he hadn't heard anything yet, but laughed when prodded if he was looking for a new house in Phoenix. The Bulls seem to be the front runners when and if the Suns make a deal. The Suns were doing a good job with the PR spin in Phoenix, telling some reporters that the pending coaching change could end trade talks involving Amar'e, but league sources say too much has been done to say talks are dead. The Suns do have other suitors who have expressed real interest in Amar'e including the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are reported to have offered the ending deal of Wally Szczerbiak and rookie J.J. Hickson. The Philadelphia 76ers have been linked to the Suns as have the Portland Trail Blazers who have been distancing themselves from Amar'e talks recently and seem to have turned their sights to Richard Jefferson of the Milwaukee Bucks - more on that as it develops.
