With the trade deadline about to expire, the sun has once again set on Amar’e Stoudemire.

Stoudemire, the 2002-2003 Rookie of the Year and 5-time All-Star, has been the subject of trade rumors for months.  In a scenario that has been played out in each of the past three years, Amar’e was not traded by the Phoenix Suns.

While one would figure that Stoudemire’s trade value would be high, it’s still not quite clear to me why the Suns have been shopping him so frequently.  Let’s look at the facts about one of the best power forwards in the league:

- In any season in which Amar’e has played at least 50 games (with the exception of his rookie season), he has averaged at least 20 points and 8 rebounds per contest.  So far, this has been a run of 6 consecutive season that he has accomplished this feat.

Due to high-percentage shots like this, Stoudemire is shooting 55% from the field.

- We all probably forgot that Stoudemire rebounded from the dreaded microfracture surgery on his left knee andarthroscopic surgery on his right knee.  Both surgeries were during the 2005-06 season, but he returned the following campaign to play 82 games, average 20.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg and make the All-Star team.

- Stoudemire is a career 54.2% field-goal shooter, and that includes his first two season in which he shot 47.2% and 47.5%.  Every year thereafter, he has shot at least 54% from the field.

- Amar’e just turned 27 years old (late last year), and already has 5 All-Star appearances.  The only big man who currently has as many All-Star appearances at his age or younger is Raptors forward Chris Bosh.

In addition to his statistical prowess, A-Stat is the only inside presence that the Suns have.  Phoenix has no other players that it can depend on for points in the paint.  It would seem that his unyielding style of play would be cherished even more from a team that’s about as soft as a Twinkie.

Perhaps the most impressive characteristic posessed by Stoudemire is his maturity.  Even though he would rightfully deserve to harness some bitterness to being continually shopped around, Amar’e chooses to dispel the talk and play hard night after night.

And maybe that’s exactly what all of his potential suitors are noticing the most.