Top-10 Best Trades in Phoenix Suns History
By Adam Maynes
4. Vinny Del Negro for Bo Outlaw and first-round pick
Before the Mike D’Antoni era in which the Suns traded away first-round picks with reckless abandon, in 2001 the Suns were on the positive end of such a trade, one that would have implications far out reaching their wildest expectations.
In a three-team deal, the Suns moved veterans Vinny Del Negro to the Los Angeles Clippers and Jud Buechler to the Orlando Magic for Bo Outlaw and a 2002 first-round pick from Orlando. Del Negro was immediately waived and never played again in the NBA, whereas Buechler – who had only appeared in 6 games for the Suns – played in 60 games for Orlando before he failed to re-sign and subsequently never played in the league again either.
For nearly two seasons in Phoenix, Bo Outlaw was a fan favorite for his hard-nosed defense and gigantic smile. But other than a big body off the bench, Outlaw served no great role in improving the Suns and was otherwise just an average end of the bench player.
It was the first-round pick that serendipitously proved to make the Suns the ultimate winner in the trade, as that player, selected 9th overall a year later, was Amar’e Stoudemire.
Amar’e Stoudemire, arguably the best true power forward in Phoenix Suns history, played the majority of eight very productive seasons in Phoenix. Becoming one of the all-time greats, and sure-fire Ring of Honor inductee, “STAT” would ultimately finish top-five in free throws made and attempted, blocked shots, rebounds, and career scoring average, while helping lead the Suns to two Western Conference Finals appearances (missing out on a third in 2006 due to micro fracture surgery).