Paul Goldschmidt Art Amare Stoudemire Autographed Photo 11 X 14

Tom Brady's decision to go out the New England Patriots to sign every bit a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent shockwaves across the sports landscape. In 20 seasons with the Patriots, Brady played in 14 Pro Bowls, nine Super Bowls and won six Super Bowl titles. He is on the curt listing of near accomplished pro athletes in the 4 major North American sports, and his departure is perhaps the well-nigh stunning in sports history, even at the historic period of 42.

The proclamation of Brady'due south deviation — on St. Patrick'southward Day, no less — left the sports-spoiled metropolis of Boston in mourning.

Phoenix does not have a departure that compares in magnitude to this Brady's — few cities do — simply it got u.s. wondering which pro athletes' departures had the greatest impact on the Valley's sports psyche, due to that player's ability, his accomplishments, his connection to the fans and the manner of his departure.

The staff writers at The Athletic Arizona who embrace the iv major pro teams in town put their heads together and compiled a list. Here are the top choices from Scott Bordow (Cardinals), Craig Morgan (Coyotes), Zach Buchanan (Diamondbacks) and Gina Mizell (Suns), along with a listing of players for each squad that did not make the cut and the rationale behind our thinking.

Cardinals

Pat Tillman

The departure: In May 2002 Tillman was near to strike information technology rich. Four years earlier, the Cardinals had drafted him in the 7th round, more a nod to his Arizona State legacy than whatsoever belief he would plough into a productive NFL actor. Merely, as he had with the Dominicus Devils, Tillman's passion, smarts and toughness were more important than his v-human foot-xi, 202-pound stature. In 2000, he finished with 155 tackles, i½ sacks, 2 forced fumbles, nine pass deflections and one interception. Following the 2001 season, the Cardinals offered Tillman a iii-yr, $3.half-dozen one thousand thousand deal. Instead of signing the deal, Tillman and his blood brother Kevin, spurred by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, enlisted with the Army Rangers.

"Sports embodied many of the qualities I deem meaningful," Tillman said in 2002. "However, these last few years, and especially afterwards contempo events, I've come to appreciate just how shallow and insignificant my part is. … It's no longer important."

The nuance: While no one saw Tillman's determination coming, those who knew him weren't completely surprised. Tillman always had interests and passions beyond football. He was an intelligent, curious man with an acute sense of right and wrong. "This is very serious with Pat," so-Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis said at the time. "It's non just a snap determination. Y'all're non dealing with a guy who'due south real shallow. Yous're dealing with a guy whose waters run pretty deep."

The impact: Tillman's tragic death in 2004 from friendly burn down brought the Valley to its knees. But later on the tears dried, his legacy lived on through the Pat Tillman Foundation and its signature event, Pat'south Run, a four.2 mile walk/run — he wore the No. 42 at ASU — held once a year. Information technology'south a remembrance of who Tillman was, the cede he made and the emotional hold he nevertheless has on fans all over the country.

A statue of Pat Tillman is visible exterior of State Farm Stadium. (United states Today Sports)

Anquan Boldin

The divergence: The Cardinals traded Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens in March 2010 for third- and fourth-circular draft picks in the 2010 typhoon, ending a relationship that had get acrimonious. Boldin had been seeking a new contract with the Cardinals commensurate with the four-year $40 million contract extension teammate Larry Fitzgerald signed before the 2009 season. Only the Cardinals refused to rip up Boldin's deal, and his connected criticism of the organization got to the point that when the trade was consummated, coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "It was fourth dimension."

The nuance: As neat as Fitzgerald was, Boldin had been the heart and soul of the Cardinals, a locker room leader admired for his passion and toughness. Less than two years earlier the bargain, he was the victim of a vicious hit by Jets condom Eric Smith. Boldin, who was knocked out, suffered 2 facial fractures that needed eight plates and xl screws to repair, and his jaw had to be wired.

Less than a month later, he was back on the field. The subsequent trade, while understandable given how the human relationship had deteriorated, all the same didn't sit well with fans. Boldin had been an integral part of the Cardinals squad that played in Super Bowl XLIII.

The impact: Boldin got what he wanted; a three-year deal worth $25 one thousand thousand from the Ravens. He also won a Super Bowl in 2012 with Baltimore. The Cardinals, on the other hand, immediately missed his presence and production. Boldin had been a 1,000-chiliad receiver in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, his replacement, Steve Breaston, caught 47 passes for 718 yards and merely one touchdown. Arizona finished 5-eleven that season, making his departure fifty-fifty harder for fans to have.

Anquan Boldin lines up next to Larry Fitzgerald. (Getty Images)

Jake Plummer

The departure: Plummer once had been ane of the Valley's almost popular athletes. He became a legend — Jake the Snake — at ASU, leading the Sunday Devils to the Rose Bowl in the 1996 flavour and inside 100 seconds of a national championship. Two years later, in 1998, he guided the Cardinals to their first playoff appearance in a non-strike year since 1975. But emotion has trivial place in pro sports. Later throwing more interceptions than touchdowns in 2002, Plummer was allowed to exam the market equally a free agent, and Plummer signed a seven-year $40 million contract with the Denver Broncos.

The nuance: By the 2000 season, Plummer no longer was viewed through the lens of his past glory. From 2000 through 2002, the Cardinals had a combined record of 15-31 in games Plummer started, and he had 55 interceptions compared to 49 touchdown passes. His 53.half-dozen completion percentage in '02 ranked 26th in the league. Simply put, his stay in Arizona had worn out its welcome.

The impact: Plummer had a successful four-year run in Denver, going 39-15 every bit a starter and leading the Broncos to three straight playoff appearances, including the 2005 AFC Championship game. The Cardinals, meanwhile, struggled in the 2003 and 2004 seasons, running through Jeff Blake, Josh McCown and Shaun King before they signed Kurt Warner as a free agent.

Jake Plummer (Brian Bahr/Allsport)

Missed the cut

Darnell Dockett: Dockett was one of the Cardinals' best and well-nigh colorful defensive players during his 10-twelvemonth run (2004-xiii) with Arizona, just he tore his ACL before the 2022 flavour, and the Cardinals released him the post-obit February.

Tyrann Mathieu: Arizona signed Mathieu to a v-year, $62.5 million contract extension in the summer of 2022 even though he still hadn't fully recovered from a 2d ACL surgery. But Mathieu wasn't the same player in 2022 and the kickoff half of 2017, and when he couldn't hold on a contract restructuring before the 2022 season — he would accept received a guaranteed $18.75 meg if he was on the roster at the get-go of the league season — the Cardinals released him.

Aeneas Williams: Williams, a half dozen-time Pro Bowl cornerback with the Cardinals, had grown tired of the franchise's losing ways and asked the team to trade him after the 2000 season. Arizona obliged, dealing Williams to the St. Louis Rams for ii draft picks.

Calais Campbell: In viii seasons every bit a Cardinals starter, Campbell had 358 tackles and 56 ½ sacks. Just the defensive cease became a free agent earlier the 2022 flavor, and when Arizona offered him $9 1000000 per year on a new bargain, he was gone and eventually signed a four-year, $threescore meg deal with Jacksonville.

Coyotes

Shane Doan

The divergence: On June, 17, 2017, Coyotes GM John Chayka invited Doan to breakfast at First Watch in Scottsdale. Doan thought the meeting was to discuss a new contract to extend his 21-twelvemonth playing career. Chayka told him there would exist no more than contracts with the Coyotes. "I was being corporately fired," said Doan, who retired two months later.

The nuance: At that place is a fair argument to be made that it was fourth dimension for Doan to stride aside. His role was reduced in 2016-17, his lack of speed was more pronounced and his production slipped to half dozen goals and 27 points, his lowest output for a full season since 1998-99. The previous ownership grouping had too discussed walking away from the face up of the franchise during protracted contract talks the previous summer. When Doan finally signed a one-year contract subsequently scoring a team-high 28 goals, the deal (AAV of $4,839,572) felt like a golden parachute as he approached his 40th birthday. The Coyotes wanted to get young, so signing Doan felt similar an unnecessary break on a much-needed rebuild.

The impact: A segment of the Coyotes fan base of operations understood the logic of letting Doan go. Some thought he should have stuck effectually to continue mentoring the young players. Virtually no 1 understood the manner in which he was cut loose. Doan deserved a better fate than this clumsy dismissal under previous majority owner Andrew Barroway — a faux pas for which Barroway later apologized. Like Fitzgerald with the Cardinals, Doan was the face of the franchise and a Valley icon who did everything imaginable to support a franchise that enjoyed little success and engendered niggling respect during his tenure. As one league source put information technology: "This guy takes every bullet for this team for a decade, then gets tossed out like a slice of trash." That was the part of Doan'south departure that stung Valley fans the most.

Shane Doan (Us TODAY Sports)

Keith Tkachuk

The difference: On March 13, 2001, the Coyotes traded Tkachuk to the St. Louis Dejection for middle Michael Handzus, right wing Ladislav Nagy and Jeff Taffe, the Blues' start-round pick in the 2000 NHL Typhoon.

The dash: Trade rumors swirled effectually Tkachuk after he signed a three-year contract extension for an boilerplate of $8.3 million per season through 2002-03. The Coyotes hadn't escaped the first round of the playoffs in whatsoever of Tkachuk's previous 4 seasons in the Valley, they were losing a lot of money and information technology was clear that new owners Steve Ellman and Wayne Gretzky were looking to shed payroll. 1 week earlier, the Coyotes had sent goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and defenseman Stan Neckar to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Paul Mara, forwards Mike Johnson and Ruslan Zaynullin and a draft choice.

The touch: Tkachuk clearly wasn't happy with the new ownership group. "I knew information technology was coming," he said. "They told me this deal was obviously financial. I really, really wanted to stay hither and try to win a Cup, only I'1000 going to a better situation. This team, the St. Louis Blues, is committed to winning. They have some nifty players in that location, and I'm looking frontward to getting out of the first circular."

Tkachuk'southward divergence was almost a curse. The Coyotes missed the playoffs that spring, made the playoffs the following flavor, but fell once more in the first round over again, and then didn't make the playoffs again until Tkachuk's final season in St. Louis, 2009-2010. In 9 seasons in St. Louis, Tkachuk scored 208 goals (he topped 30 in his beginning 3 full seasons there) and had 427 points. In 321 games with the Coyotes, Nagy had 92 goals and 249 points. In 89 games with the Coyotes, Handzus had 19 goals and 53 points. In 98 games with the Coyotes, Taffe had 15 goals and 28 points. In the 19 years since his difference, the Coyotes haven't had an aristocracy goal scorer. Tkachuk is the simply Coyote with a significant corporeality of games played to have averaged at to the lowest degree a point per game in Arizona (334 points in 332 games). He is still the best histrion in franchise history.

Keith Tkachuk, left, celebrates with his Blues teammates. (Associated Press)

Jeremy Roenick

The difference: On July one, 2001, Roenick, an unrestricted free amanuensis, signed a five-year, $37.five million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, ending his six-season tenure in the Valley with 152 goals and 379 points in 454 games.

The nuance: Roenick's deviation was the continuation of a money-saving, forward-thinking process the Coyotes had already begun with the trades of Tkachuk and Khabibulin. Roenick became available early on considering full general manager Cliff Fletcher gave a handful of teams permission to negotiate with his agent, Neil Abbott, before the July 1 deadline.

The touch: Like Tkachuk'south difference on the fly, Roenick'southward departure left a gaping hole in the centre of the ice. Since Roenick left town the first time, the Coyotes accept not had a bona fide No.1 center. Roenick had 67 goals and 173 points in three seasons in Philadelphia earlier the Flyers traded him to Los Angeles where he played i season. Post-obit the canceled lockout season of 2004-05, Roenick returned to Phoenix for one unremarkable season before playing the final two years of his career in San Jose.

Jeremy Roenick with the Coyotes. (Associated Press)

Missed the cut

Nikolai Khabibulin: Khabibulin'southward acrimonious contract holdout and his short time in Phoenix (three seasons) limited his impact, but he led Tampa Bay to goals-against in 2004 with 1.71 goals-against average, a .933 save percentage and five shutouts in the postseason.

Teppo Numminen: Past the time the Coyotes traded Numminen to Dallas in the summertime of 2003, he was 35 years one-time, he had played 15 NHL seasons and his game had diminished. He played four more seasons and had forty points with Buffalo in 2005-06, but the trade of their quiet, lead-by-example captain did not shock Coyotes fans.

Blake Wheeler: Wheeler never got the chance to endear himself to Coyotes fans. In fact, he did the contrary, refusing to sign with the Coyotes afterwards they drafted him in 2004 out of the University of Minnesota. The Coyotes could take used him. After three decent seasons with Boston, Wheeler emerged as a star in Winnipeg, where he has 207 goals and 634 points in 687 games.

Diamondbacks

Paul Goldschmidt

The departure: In December 2018, the Diamondbacks traded Goldschmidt to the Cardinals for catcher Carson Kelly, right-hander Luke Weaver, infielder Andy Young and a typhoon pick.

The nuance: Goldschmidt had one twelvemonth to become on the contract he signed prior to the 2012 season, which had been underpaying him for his MVP-blazon operation for years. With the Diamondbacks missing the playoffs in 2022 and expecting other complimentary-amanuensis departures, full general manager Mike Hazen traded his homegrown star in what the GM still calls the toughest decision of his career. Hazen said that, with his team seemingly on the downswing, he didn't want to risk Goldschmidt walking in complimentary agency and getting nothing simply a compensatory draft option for him.

The bear upon: Things looked bad early on for the Diamondbacks when Goldschmidt signed a five-year extension with the Cardinals in jump training earlier he'd even set human foot in St. Louis. That called into question the squad's off-the-record justification that Goldschmidt wasn't willing to sign some other extension. Merely since, the trade has looked pretty good. Goldschmidt had a mediocre twelvemonth by his standards, perhaps starting to show his 32 years. Meanwhile, Kelly enjoyed a breakout, Weaver was a stud until he got hurt and Christian Walker, Goldschmidt's replacement at offset, pretty much matched his predecessor'south 2022 production.

Paul Goldschmidt. (Getty Images)

Randy Johnson

The departure: Johnson signed a 1-twelvemonth, $8 million contract with the Giants prior to the 2009 flavour, ending his 2nd stint in Arizona.

The nuance: Johnson'south get-go difference from the Valley, traded to the Yankees following the 2004 season, was hard enough. But at that place was a logic to it. The Diamondbacks were terrible in 2004 and Johnson had a year to keep his contract. And anyhow, Johnson wound up back in Arizona in 2007 when the Yankees flipped him correct back. But letting him walk after 2008 was tough. He'd fabricated thirty starts and posted a three.91 ERA the yr before. He told the squad he'd take a 50 percent pay cut on his $fifteen million bacon from 2008 to come back. He was at 295 career wins and wanted No. 300 to come up in a Diamondbacks jersey.

The impact: Johnson took that pay cutting, simply with the Giants (other operation bonuses were congenital into the bargain). He didn't pitch specially well, posting a 4.88 ERA, and managed fewer than 100 innings while he dealt with a rotator cuff issue. He finished the flavour in the bullpen. Just he did become that 300th win in early on June against the Nationals. His relationship with the Diamondbacks remained frosty for several more years, thawing just in 2013 when he visited with Arizona pitchers during spring training. Johnson joined the organization as a special assistant in 2015.

Randy Johnson. (Getty Images)

Justin Upton

The departure: Traded along with Chris Johnson to the Braves for Nick Ahmed, Martín Prado, Randall Delgado, Brandon Drury and Zeke Spruill prior to the 2013 flavor.

The nuance: Fans never quite warmed to Upton the manner they did to Goldschmidt and Johnson, but possibly they should have. He was the No. one overall choice in the 2005 draft, and his product largely lived upward to that billing. In five-plus seasons in Arizona, he posted an .832 OPS and hit 108 homers. He was worth 13.vii WAR, according to Baseball-Reference, and finished quaternary in MVP voting for the National League in 2011. Merely during a somewhat-down 2012 season for Upton, managing general partner Ken Kendrick criticized the outfielder publicly, saying, "It's time for him to exist a consistent performer, and he's not been that." That signaled his probable exit from Arizona despite the fact that he had 3 years remaining on the extension he signed with the Diamondbacks prior to the 2010 flavour.

The bear upon: Prado didn't work out, Delgado wound up a reliever, Drury got flipped and has yet to perform and Spruill was a throw-in. The merely part of that merchandise that has worked out has been Ahmed, who has been a terrific defender at brusk while steadily improving as a hitter. Over the iii years the Diamondbacks could have controlled him, Upton was consistent. He striking 82 homers and had an .814 OPS those years — two with the Braves and 1 with the Padres — and was worth 10.ane State of war. He continues to be a strong hitter, for the Tigers and now the Angels, and will accept made $200 million in his career by the fourth dimension his electric current contract wraps up 3 years from now.

Justin Upton. (Getty Images)

Missed the cut

Luis Gonzalez: The Diamondbacks had a $10 1000000 option on Gonzalez for the 2007 season, merely they declined it. He ended upwardly signing a one-year deal with the Dodgers at 39, and played just two more seasons. He joined the Diamondbacks front office equally a special assistant almost immediately upon retirement.

Max Scherzer: Fans didn't have a hazard to get used to seeing the sometime 11th-overall option in a Diamondbacks bailiwick of jersey, but they've certainly come to regret the iii-squad bargain that sent him to Detroit and netted the Diamondbacks Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson. Scherzer is a shoo-in Hall-of-Famer now. Kennedy and Jackson? They are not.

Curt Schilling: Schilling leveraged his no-trade clause to get a three-yr bargain out of the Red Sox before approval a trade to Boston following the 2003 flavor. The Diamondbacks didn't become much value in return, but they likewise might have been wasting the last years of Schilling's career on bad teams in the Valley. Given that Schilling helped the Sox to their beginning World Series win since 1918, Diamondbacks fans might be better off appreciating the part the Diamondbacks played in making baseball history.

Suns

Charles Barkley

The divergence: The Baronial post-obit the 1995-96 season, which included a 41-41 record and first-round playoff exit, the Suns traded Barkley to Houston for Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown. That terminal flavour in Phoenix, Barkley averaged 23.2 points, xi.vi rebounds and ane.6 steals per game and made his 10th All-Star game.

The nuance: The relationship between Barkley and the Suns had deteriorated, with Barkley declaring he would retire if non traded to a contender. In an interview with NBC during the NBA Finals, Barkley said Houston was on his list of desired destinations. The Rockets, who had won the 1994 and 1995 championships, nonetheless had futurity Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler on the roster. "I'm excited because … I called the shots," Barkley said at the time. "When push comes to shove, I think you have to stand upward to the system."

Following the merchandise, Jerry Colangelo said he had become "disturbed" with the Suns' plodding style. Barkley had also begun to battle injuries during his Phoenix tenure, including dorsum pain, a small quadriceps tendon tear that kept him out of the 1994 All-Star Game and a groin injury suffered in the 1994 playoffs. Those health struggles connected in Houston.

The impact: Barkley gave Phoenix a bona fide superstar, winning the 1993 MVP and leading the Suns to the NBA Finals. That naturally comes with fan attachment. The Barkley trade was just the start of big changes in Phoenix. Legendary coach Cotton wool Fitzsimmons, who returned afterwards Paul Westphal was fired during the 1995-96 flavor, stepped downward early and turned the reins over to Danny Ainge. The day after Christmas, the Suns traded for Jason Kidd. Though an injury-plagued, transitional flavor was often frustrating, it did characteristic a jolt of excitement when Rex Chapman hit "The Shot" to forcefulness overtime in a kickoff-circular playoff game confronting Seattle.

For Barkley, a 1997 Western Conference finals appearance was the furthest he ever advanced in the playoffs as a Rocket. He retired later the 1999-2000 season without an NBA title — a gruesome ruptured quadriceps tendon in his left knee joint suffered in a December 1999 game in Philadelphia all but catastrophe his final season prematurely. Though Barkley was in Phoenix for only four seasons, he is widely beloved in the Valley (his visibility on TNT's studio programming certainly helps his post-career contour) and viewed every bit one of the best players in franchise history. Phoenix has not returned to the NBA Finals since Barkley was its star.

Charles Barkley chats with Michael Jordan. (Getty Images)

Steve Nash

The departure: After ii consecutive non-playoff seasons, Nash was acquired by the Lakers in a July 2012 sign-and-merchandise. Nash was an All-Star his final season in Phoenix, averaging 12.5 points and x.7 assists while shooting 53.2 percent from the floor.

The dash: It became clear prior to the opening of free agency that the Suns would not compete with Nash'south free-agency offers from other teams. The sign-and-trade allowed Nash to pick his desired destination, and for Phoenix to receive draft-pick compensation in return. At the fourth dimension, the situation in Los Angeles — where he would play alongside Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard — appeared to be a final opportunity for Nash to win a title. More importantly, it allowed Nash to stay close to his children in Phoenix. The Suns somewhen agreed to the deal, even though seeing Nash in the jersey of the rival Lakers was painful to those within and outside the system.

"I couldn't be more grateful to the organization and Robert (Sarver) in particular," Nash told ESPN.com at the time. "I know how hard this was for him and that fact that he was able to help me and my family unit in this way … information technology means a lot and says a lot virtually his graphic symbol. I will never forget this gesture. Higher up and beyond."

The impact: Nash's deviation was truly the end of an era, the unofficial outset of the Suns' tumble to the NBA'due south cellar. Even though he was nearing the end of his career, Nash leaving instead of retiring as a Lord's day was rough on fans. The Suns have not had a superstar like Nash since, though Devin Booker is certainly a rising talent. Phoenix has not made the playoffs in a decade and finished with 25 or fewer wins 5 times during that span.

The Nash-Bryant-Howard trio, of course, was an epic failure in Los Angeles — even post-obit the reunion between Nash and former Suns omnibus Mike D'Antoni. Nash struggled with injuries during his three seasons with the Lakers, including reccurring dorsum problems that kept him out for all of 2014-xv. He officially retired in March 2015. Still, the two-time MVP is widely regarded every bit the best Suns player of all-time. He helped revolutionize the game with the "Seven Seconds or Less" playing style. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. He is a Phoenix sports icon.

Steve Nash. (Getty Images)

Dan Majerle

The departure: Later the 1994-95 season, the Suns traded Majerle, Antonio Lang and a offset-circular draft pick to Cleveland for John "Hot Rod" Williams. Majerle fabricated his tertiary (and final) All-Star appearance his final flavour with Phoenix, averaging xv.vi points, 4.6 rebounds and four.ane assists per game while shooting 36.three percent on 6.7 3-point attempts per game.

The dash: Majerle, though a wildly pop player, was perchance the most bonny merchandise asset for a Suns team trying to remain a contender in the Western Conference. Phoenix had other wings in Wesley Person and A.C. Light-green but no formidable center — a deficiency publicly scrutinized by Barkley. The Suns were too concerned about Majerle's long-term health, as he had a history of back issues that he managed throughout his career.

Yet this detail deal surely contributed to the unrest between the Suns and Barkley, who expressed his displeasure near the trade. "I think I've said on occasion that Majerle, (Joe) Kleine and (Danny) Manning were the three guys I wanted on this team no matter what, and one of them'southward gone," Barkley told the Associated Printing. "You can't accept information technology both ways," Colangelo responded.

The bear upon: Phoenix went 41-41 with a starting time-circular playoff exit in its first season without Majerle — and so traded Barkley the ensuing summertime. Since then, Majerle has had 2 returns — and departures — from the organization. He came back every bit a role player in 2001, leading the team in iii-pointers (79) before retiring. He was the lead assistant coach nether Terry Porter and Alvin Gentry from 2008-13, but left when Gentry was fired and Lindsey Hunter took over the top post.

Majerle remains synonymous with Phoenix sports. He is a Ring of Accolade member. His sports bars are dispersed throughout the Valley. He was the head coach at Grand Canyon until his firing earlier this calendar month.

Paul Westphal

The divergence: Westphal and the Suns had two notable breakups. Every bit a player post-obit the 1979-80 season, the Suns traded Westphal for Dennis Johnson. Every bit a passenger vehicle, Westphal was fired early in his fourth season in 1995-96, which started 14-19.

The nuance: Westphal the role player asked to be traded, due to an unfavorable opinion of coach John MacLeod'southward system. The Suns too needed rebounding and defensive toughness, two traits Johnson provided. At the fourth dimension, the deal was viewed as ane that would help both teams.

Westphal the motorcoach was managing a Suns team that, before the flavour, had but traded fan favorite Dan Majerle. Phoenix was also hampered by numerous injuries to "Hot Rod" Williams (whom it had acquired in the Majerle merchandise), Manning, Kevin Johnson and Barkley. Barkley, of grade, continued to be outspoken almost his team's moves:

"Information technology'southward a what-take-you-done-for-me-lately business," Barkley said at the fourth dimension, according to the Chicago Tribune. "Now, I'grand going home to tell (wife) Maureen, 'I'k accepting calls.'" Cotton Fitzsimmons returned as charabanc for the remainder of the season simply resigned early in 1996-97. Ainge took over as head double-decker.

The impact: Johnson in his first season helped Phoenix clinch the franchise'due south showtime division title and No. ane playoff seed, before getting upset by Kansas Urban center in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals. Seattle, meanwhile, went a stunning 34-48 equally Westphal battled a stress fracture in his leg. "It hasn't been fun," Westphal told the New York Times. "Although it'due south been a frustrating several months, I'm not sorry I asked to be traded. Bad luck can happy anywhere."

After firing Westphal the omnibus, the Suns made their eighth consecutive playoff advent simply failed to win 50 games for the get-go time since 1987-88. Westphal retired as a Suns player after returning to Phoenix for the 1983-84 flavour. No coach has guided Phoenix to the Finals since Westphal. He was a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 2019.

Paul Westphal during the 1976 NBA Finals. (Getty Images)

Amar'due east Stoudemire

The departure: Following the 2009-10 season, Stoudemire opted out of his contract and signed with New York as a free amanuensis. "The Knicks are back," Stoudemire proclaimed when introduced in the Large Apple.

The dash: The "7 Seconds or Less" era was already dimming in Phoenix after D'Antoni left for the Knicks and Shawn Marion was traded to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal, simply Stoudemire was the homegrown kid, the lottery draft pick out of loftier school who morphed into an All-Star and dominant mail service partner for Nash.

Past 2010, however, Stoudemire had already struggled with knee problems for years (and a detached retina). The Suns offered Stoudemire a max contract following the 2010 season merely did not want to guarantee all of information technology because of those knee troubles. Earlier that year, Phoenix had also reportedly discussed a trade-borderline deal with Cleveland, which would have sent Stoudemire to the LeBron James-led Cavaliers in exchange for JJ Hickson.

The impact: Stoudemire was an All-Star his kickoff season in New York. But he was never the same after that, as his injury troubles connected. His concluding NBA season was with Miami in 2015-16, before playing overseas and with the Big3. The Suns have not been the same, either. Nash stuck effectually for 2 more than seasons, before joining the Lakers in a sign-and-merchandise, simply Phoenix has not made the playoffs since Nash and Stoudemire shared the flooring together.

Amar'e Stoudemire and Connie Hawkins. (Getty Images)

Missed the cut

Shawn Marion: The 2008 midseason blockbuster that sent Marion to Miami in substitution for O'Neal signaled the Suns' change in style and the end of an 8 1/2-yr relationship with a four-time All-Star. But Marion was unhappy being the third wheel behind Nash and Stoudemire, and had requested a merchandise before the season.

Jason Kidd: When the Suns traded Kidd to New Bailiwick of jersey for Stephon Marbury, he was the NBA's assists leader. Just earlier that twelvemonth, Kidd was arrested and pleaded guilty to a domestic assault charge for striking so-wife, Joumana, during an argument.

Charlie Scott: Scott, a hereafter Hall of Famer, had fabricated three consecutive All-Star appearances with Phoenix when traded to Boston for Paul Westphal in 1975. The ensuing season, the two played against each other in the NBA Finals.

Author rankings

Each of four writers ranked the top five departures in terms of their emotional toll on the Valley.

Scott Bordow
1. Pat Tillman
2. Steve Nash
three. Paul Goldschmidt
iv. Randy Johnson
5. Charles Barkley

Zach Buchanan
1. Pat Tillman
2. Steve Nash
three. Charles Barkley
4. Paul Goldschmidt
5. Randy Johnson

Gina Mizell
1. Pat Tillman
ii. Steve Nash
3. Randy Johnson
4. Paul Goldschmidt
5. Charles Barkley

Craig Morgan
1. Pat Tillman
2. Steve Nash
3. Charles Barkley
4. Paul Goldschmidt
v. Shane Doan

Your turn

Apply our comments section to rank the xiv players on our list in terms of the emotional toll their divergence had on yous and the Valley. Experience gratis to include write-in candidates.

Pat Tillman
Anquan Boldin
Jake Plummer
Charles Barkley
Steve Nash
Dan Majerle
Paul Westphal
Amar'e Stoudemire
Paul Goldschmidt
Randy Johnson
Justin Upton
Keith Tkachuk
Jeremy Roenick
Shane Doan

(Top photograph of Randy Johnson, left, and Brusque Schilling: Jed Jacobsohn / ALLSPORT)

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Source: https://theathletic.com/1693232/2020/03/23/departures-charles-barkley-anquan-boldin-and-more-we-rank-the-valleys-pain/