Amare isn’t on his way to Portland, so where exactly is he headed?

Another day in the Amare Stoudemire saga and there is more confusion than resolution. We’ve heard that Memphis, Portland and Chicago are all in hot pursuit of the star forward but is any of it true?

Rumor we know that isn’t carrying much weight right now is Amare to Memphis for a collection of young talent.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley acknowledged his recent involvement in trade discussions regarding All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire and said he rejected the Phoenix Suns’ proposal.

“We had conversations,” Heisley said Wednesday, confirming a Yahoo Sports report that Phoenix owner Robert Sarver initiated contact with Memphis. “But there is no deal on the table. I think they’ll go somewhere else.” [Memphis Commercial Appeal]

The Trailblazers also appear to be out of the mix.

The deal Portland was discussing with Phoenix involved LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LaFrentz’s $12.7 million expiring contract. “That deal is dead,” the person familiar with the talks said. One reason could be that Portland is really looking to acquire an elite point guard, according to an NBA team executive. [CBS Sports]

Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard said the activity on the trade markets has picked up this week.

Despite the constant rumors floating around the Internet connecting Portland to numerous trades, Pritchard maintained his stance that the Blazers would not rush to make a deal.

“We’ve worked way too hard to get where we’ve gotten to make a mistake by giving a player up,” Pritchard said. “So we’re very, very cautious in that.”

He added that any deal that is done will be made with the franchise’s long-term interests in mind, not short-term fixes to solidify Portland’s playoff position or set them up for a lengthy playoff run.

“I’ve got to know that it’s a player that we would want to have long term,” Pritchard said. “Anything I do affects what we could do this summer. I always keep the long-term perspective.” [Columbian.com]

Thanks, But No Thanks – Apparently the offers General Manager Kevin Pritchard is receiving are more lunacy than legit when LaFrentz is included. The proposals simply aren’t to Portland’s liking or of equal benefit. The “Amar’e Stoudemire to Portland” rumor proves this easily. Let’s get this right: the Blazers would be giving away their second best player in LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless – a guy whom some in the franchise believe is eventually the future point guard of the team - and LaFrentz’s expiring contract. Are the Suns sure they don’t want Brandon Roy in the deal while they are at it? [HoopsWorld]

So if the Blazers are out and so are the Grizzlies, the Knicks are out and the Heat are out who is the main contender left standing? How about the Chicago Bulls?

The Bulls can provide the Suns with payroll room by dealing the remainder of Drew Gooden’s contract ($7.1 million, expiring after this year) and other minor contracts (Lindsey Hunter, Michael Ruffin). The Bulls would have to add power forward Tyrus Thomas as part of any package, as well as their first-round pick this year. Sources say that any of the Bulls’ players who have significant money on their contracts — Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni — won’t be part of a deal.

But the Suns would want the Bulls to sweeten that pot, at least with Thabo Sefolosha and perhaps more. That’s where Paxson may have a difficult question to answer: Does he include fast-improving Joakim Noah, too? A package of Gooden, Thomas and a draft pick is underwhelming. But, add Noah, and the Bulls may be giving up too much. [SportingNews]

Hmm, maybe it’s not the Bulls though.

Sarver’s heavy hand in the process has become one of the key obstacles to Phoenix securing the best deal, according to two league executives — one of whom described the situation as “dissension.” Teams are getting mixed signals from Phoenix as far as what the Suns are looking to take back for Stoudemire, another executive said — one version from Sarver and another from president Steve Kerr. [CBS Sports]

Than again maybe it is the Bulls.

The Bulls are among teams seriously pursuing Stoudemire. General manager John Paxson will be in Phoenix for All-Star activities this weekend and likely will meet with Kerr. [Chicago Sun Times]

What about the Warriors, Raptors, Thunder –that’s Seattle by way of Oklahoma City now for those of you not closely following the NBA– and Kings?

Golden State. Don’t hold your breath. A package of Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph, a draft pick and expiring contracts is not bad, but the Suns would much prefer to get Stoudemire out of the Pacific Division. Biedrins’ contract — it runs through 2014 — and the fact that he is a base-year compensation player (an NBA rules hitch that makes it difficult to trade players immediately after they get big pay raises) is prohibitive. The Warriors are likely to stand pat this trade deadline, evaluate the team down the stretch now that Monta Ellis is healthy, and wait till the summer to make major moves. [SportingNews]

Toronto. Toronto has been another rumored destination, but it doesn’t appear as if the Raptors have enough to interest Phoenix. [HoopsHype]

Oklahoma City. The Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder also are after the All-Star starter. [ChicagoSunTimes]

Sacramento. While a move for Amare Stoudemire isn’t likely, two league sources said the Kings have inquired numerous times about the Phoenix forward and soon-to-be four-time All-Star this week.
The Suns reportedly seek potent young players, draft picks and expiring contracts in a deal for Stoudemire, whose contract includes $15.1 million this season, $16.4 million next season and a player option for 2010-11 worth $17.7 million. That likely rules out the Kings from the equation. While they have expiring deals (Bobby Jackson at $6.5 million; Mikki Moore at $5.8 million, with $2 million guaranteed next season if he is waived by June 20; Shelden Williams at $3.3 million; Quincy Douby at $1.4 million), they aren’t eager to give up young players like rookie forward Jason Thompson and are even less anxious to relinquish draft picks, of which they have two first-rounders come June’s draft.
They also do not appear willing to include shooting guard Kevin Martin in trade discussions, all of which limits their ability to satisfy Suns general manager Steve Kerr. While swingman John Salmons ($10.5 million combined this season and next with a player option for 2010-11 worth $5.8 million) could be a possibility for the Suns, a preference for returning to their up-tempo ways could rule out a move involving center Brad Miller. [Sacramento Bee]

Oh and by the way, don’t expect a resolution anytime soon.

Kerr has said a deal, if done, likely would come closer to the NBA’s deadline next Thursday. [ChicagoSunTimes]

Subscribe to your favorite Phoenix team or sport or Follow us on Twitter.