Within the last 24 hours, there has been a lot of talk about Amare Stoudemire getting traded. The most heated rumor had the Phoenix Suns power forward being dealt for Al Jefferson and the 6th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. This trade came courtesy of Boston.com.

Could Amare Stoudemire get traded for Al Jefferson? (Image: Newscom)

Supposedly, the Minnesota Timberwolves want to shake up their roster and that could include trading Jefferson. If they do want to trade Jefferson, getting Stoudemire in return could be one of their better options. However, Minnesota trading Jefferson and the sixth overall pick makes too much sense for the Suns.

After getting the basketball world in an uproar, Boston.com later reported that a different source claimed that the Stoudemire for Jefferson trade wasn’t going to happen. But, according to the report, the Suns remain interested in potentially trading Stoudemire.

For Phoenix, a trade this offseason appears to be a necessity. They can’t afford to return the same core that missed the playoffs last season. If Stoudemire isn’t the one traded, expect a Shaquille O’Neal trade or even a Steve Nash trade.

Kevin McHale has been with the Minnesota Timberwolves since 1994. But that era is over. On Wednesday, McHale let it be known that the Timberwolves failed to offer him a contract to return as head coach.

Kevin McHale is out in Minnesota (Image: Zuma Press)

During his reign in Minnesota, McHale is known mostly for his failures. Despite having Kevin Garnett on the team for more than a decade, McHale the general manager could never put enough talent around him to make it to the NBA Finals.

Last season, McHale was asked to go from general manager to head coach. He was actually doing a really good job until star power forward Al Jefferson was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

The Timberwolves apparently wanted to go in a different direction. Who will be the next coach? One possibility is Bill Laimbeer, who recently resigned from the Detroit Shock of the WNBA. The timing of that resignation and McHale leaving could be a coincidence — but maybe not.

The following list is of the top players (in no particular order) I believe are the most under appreciated and most overlooked by ordinary casual NBA observers, and, even some of the die-hards too.

Kevin Martin (Kings)- For three straight seasons the 6′7, 185lb Western Carolina alum has averaged better than 20ppg. For most of the past two seasons K-Mart has been the man in Sac-Town, but he’s become somewhat of a secret because the Kings’ dreadfulness as of late. Kevin’s shooting form is so unorthodox it almost makes Shawn Marion’s stroke look worthy of duplication. But what makes Kevin so lethal is his quick first step, his ability to get to the line frequently, and his myriad of creative shots he makes from mid range. There’s really no stopping him when he’s got his three point shot going, he’s a career 39% from deep.  I expect him to make at least one All-Star team before he’s done.

John Salmons (Bulls)- Was known primarily as an average bench player until the 07/08 season, when he  started 81 games for the Kings. This season he has split teams, first with the Kings, then (now) with the Bulls, averaging a healthy 18.3 ppg. He is usually known for solid defensive play, and for the most part that has continued, but recently people have seen what he can bring to the table offensively. For the Bulls Salmons has become the 3^rd option and has flourished in that role. For a title contender Salmons would be the ideal first or second guy off the bench, just imagine how dangerous the Bulls would be if Luol Deng was healthy.  Update- Salmons scored 35 points in a triple OT Bulls win on Thursday night. Luol who?

Salmons blew by Pierce and the Celtics a lot in Game 6 (Image:Newscom)

Luis Scola (Rockets)- In just two years in the league Luis has become a sturdy side kick next to Yao Ming. All the talk is directed towards T-Mac, or Ron Artest, Yao, even Shane Battier, and surprisingly enough newly inserted starting point guard Aaron Brooks too, but Scola is often times overlooked. Even Carl Landry gets more pub than Scola. 17.6ppg and 7.2reb/gm so far in the Portland series for Scola. His playoff ppg are up by almost five from his regular season totals.

Ramon Sessions (Bucks)- He’s only been in the league for two seasons, but has come a long way since being drafted #26 in the 2^nd round in 07. He only saw time in 17 games as a rookie, but was the Bucks starting point guard in season two, averaging a respectable 12.4 points and 5.7 assists in 79 games. Sessions just turned 23, I have to believe he’s a keeper in Milwaukee.

Randy Foye (Timberwolves)- Might have averaged the quietest 16 ppg in the league. I remember him as a killa thrilla at Villanova and he has translated his skill set to the big show in season three. He beats defenders by the dribble drive and also from beyond the arc and he’s got a perfect point guard build at 6′4, 210lbs. The Wolves are assembling some nice pieces around Al Jefferson, and Foye is definitely one of them to watch grow.

The Washington Wizards now know who their head coach will be for the 2009-10 NBA season. Even though this season hasn’t ended yet, multiple sources are confirming that Flip Saunders has agreed to a contract that will make him the next coach for the Wizards.

Flip Saunders, Washington Wizards (Image: Newscom)

Saunders will reportedly sign a deal that will pay him an estimated $18 million over the next four years. Expect the hiring to become official shortly after the season comes to an end on Wednesday. Currently, the Wizards are being coached by Ed Tapscott. Tapscott will likely return to his position within Washington’s front office.

The Wizards and Saunders have been linked for many months. With Washington equipped with a veteran roster, the team is obviously in a win-now mode. Saunders has a long track record of helping his teams put victories on the board.

Beginning his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saunders eventually moved on to coach the Detroit Pistons. Over a span of 13 season, Saunders was able to advance to the conference finals four different times. All told, he has a 587-396 career record.

The Wizards currently have a record of 19-61 — the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Will the T’Wolves ever recover from trading away Kevin Garnett? It doesn’t look like it. This might be the first team in sporting history that will have to be shut down just for failure to get over a trade.

Memphis Grizzlies
After the collusion trade that sent Pau Gasol to the Lakers, the Grizzlies have gone from a team who had playoff hopes to a team that is a few years away from threatening .500. The Grizz have good young talent but they are more like a really good college team rather than an NBA team.

Washington Wizards
The Wizards fired Eddie Jordan after he helped them become a year-in and year-out challenger for the playoffs. Now Gilbert Arenas is talking about how last place isn’t that bad. The playoffs are and will be a distant memory for the Wizards for quite a while.

Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers were respectable for a few years but now they are back to being the Clippers. The biggest joke in the history of the NBA is back to being a sorry excuse for a basketball team. Not only are they are bad, they are old and bad. That is the worst combination is sports.

Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are proving that there just might be basketball gods. After stealing the franchise away from the city of Seattle, the Thunder have been horrible. Karma seems to be doing a number of Oklahoma City’s new basketball team. And I can’t say I feel sorry for them.

Remember this documentary? I really liked it. Telling the story of Sebastian Telfair and his journey from Coney Island to either Louisville or the NBA draft. Which way would he go? The suspense, suspense, suspense. Ok not really. Being related to Starbury and actually getting a documentary on ESPN, it seemed inevitable for him to end up in the NBA. From Portland to Boston to now Minnesota. He hasn’t had a story book career but this past summer he signed a new deal with the Timberwolves. Maybe he can turn his career around into the career documentaries are made for. If not, we always have this one.