As the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches, the Cavaliers and 76ers have been most frequently mentioned as suitors for Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire.

A deal with Cleveland would provide the Suns with a significant amount of salary cap and luxury tax relief. A package centered around young forward J.J. Hickson and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who received most of his salary up front this season, could get Phoenix out of luxury tax territory.

Trading with Philadelphia could get the Suns more help right away, perhaps someone like Andre Iguodala, Marreese Speights or even Detroit's Ben Gordon if a third team gets involved.

The problem that the Suns are encountering in trade talks is Amare's recent declaration that he may not opt out of his contract, putting him on the books for $17.7 million next season.

Teams looking for an expiring contract will have strong doubts about acquiring Stoudemire if that is the case.