Amare Stoudemire might be the focus of the greatest, loudest, most controversial Warriors trade that never quite happened.

Of course, there could be another twist or two in this tangled tale, and, given the subjects involved, that’s not unreasonable to expect.
But we’ve been waiting for hints from Phoenix’s high-scoring power forward about this proposed move to the Bay Area, heavily rumored since last week’s draft.
Now word is filtering out.
Two high-placed NBA sources said Tuesday that Stoudemire has little interest in joining the Warriors, especially with a roster he apparently feels would be depleted by the terms of the trade.
Stoudemire apparently believes he’ll be surrounded with more talent if he stays in Phoenix alongside Steve Nash, and also is recoiling from the assumption that center is his natural position in Don Nelson’s system.
Both sources indicated that Stoudemire has not discussed a contract extension with the Warriors and that he would not sign one with them, even if it’s for the maximum allowable.
That almost certainly would be a deal-breaker for this already tenuous trade, believed to involve Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli and with the Suns and Warriors stalemated over the inclusion of Stephen Curry.
The Warriors cannot trade three or four valuable young players to Phoenix only to risk Stoudemire leaving as a free agent when he is eligible next summer.
And it was questionable whether they should commit close to $100 million to Stoudemire in the first place.
It’s unclear whether this has always been Stoudemire’s thinking or whether his mood toward the Warriors has soured since Thursday, when the Warriors and Suns seemed on the brink of a deal.
That’s when it was assumed (by me, and others) that Stoudemire was, at the least, open to the possibility of a long-term commitment to the Warriors.
Certainly, even with Stoudemire’s feelings known, the trade parameters can still be adjusted or the Warriors could try to persuade Stoudemire to reconsider.
But the sources agreed that the most likely scenario is for Stoudemire to stay in Phoenix, either with a long-term extension or with the confidence that he will get max money if he hits the open market next summer.
Another possibility: Phoenix could try to trade Stoudemire to a team he prefers, such as Miami or the Lakers.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will continue to search for a scoring big man to join with Anthony Randolph and Ronny Turiaf.
Toronto’s Chris Bosh has long been a Warriors target, but the Raptors have said they’re not trading him now. In addition, Bosh is unlikely to commit beyond next summer, when he becomes a free agent.
Utah’s Paul Millsap, a restricted free agent, surely will be a major target around the league. But the Warriors, with little or no room under the salary cap, would have to fashion a trade to acquire Millsap.
The Jazz’s Carlos Boozer, who on Tuesday decided not to opt out, also could be on the trade block.
But the Jazz (or any other team with a valuable big man) would almost certainly want Randolph, and the whole idea for the Warriors is to pair a big man with Randolph.
Other names to consider: Miami’s Michael Beasley and Milwaukee’s Charlie Villanueva (an unrestricted free agent), though neither has proved to be a game-changer.
And after exploring all those options over the next few weeks, the Warriors and Suns might try to check back and see if Stoudemire has learned to love the Warriors.
It’s not likely. Maybe Stoudemire has saved the Warriors from making a terrible mistake. Maybe he would’ve instantly lifted the franchise.
But Stoudemire doesn’t sound interested in finding out which one it would’ve been.