Amar'e Stoudemire.

Even the Phoenix Suns forward is having fun with a decision that the franchise has been mulling in a big way. Do you trade him, gain financial freedom but likely lose fans and games while in an unpopular rebuilding mode? Or do you continue to build around your go-to guy but risk being locked into a no-leverage future?

When a team is willing to deal its centerpiece, "it's generally not for talent purposes but for financial reasons or personality conflicts," Orlando Magic senior vice president Pat Williams says. "History would say you almost always end up on the short end."

History offers tough lessons on the far-reaching impact of tough trade decisions.

Williams knows this well. Even though he directed many successful trades, fans most remember how, as Philadelphia 76ers general manager in 1986, he traded Moses Malone -- along with Terry Catledge and two first-round picks -- for the Washington Bullets' Cliff Robinson and Jeff Ruland.

Philadelphia management erred in thinking Malone's skills were in sharp decline. Malone, 31, went on to play nine more seasons, averaging double figures in scoring six times. Robinson and Ruland spent much of their time on the bench nursing injuries.

A team three years removed from an NBA title missed the playoffs eight of the next 12 seasons.

The lesson?

Make sure you have a firm grasp on the state of your players' skills.

Stoudemire, of course, isn't Malone. His career isn't as established, and concerns about his health, including the detached retina that sidelined him for half of last season, linger. His desire for a contract extension when he becomes eligible later this summer also clouds the issue.

On the other hand, he's 26, the start of an NBA player's prime. Many believe his best play is yet to come.

"The point is with All-Star-caliber players, you need to be very careful before you proceed," Williams said.

Robert Parish was Stoudemire's age when the Golden State Warriors traded him and a No. 3 pick in the 1980 draft to Boston for the Nos. 1 and 13 picks.

The Celtics used the third pick to take Kevin McHale, and Boston soon had one of the finest frontlines in NBA history. The Celtics won three titles during Parish's reign, while the Warriors made the playoffs once with their No. 1 draft choice, Joe Barry Carroll. Their pick with the draft's 13th selection, Rickey Brown, averaged 4.4 points a game in his career.

Before the trade, Golden State was in disarray and eager to rebuild. Many had questions about Parish's motivation. The decision proved costly, and the Warriors, one of the dominant teams in the 1960s, failed to reach the postseason for six consecutive seasons after the Parish trade.

The lesson?

Rebuilding requires a deft draft and astute personnel decisions.

Vince Carter was 27 when he demanded a trade from the Toronto Raptors in 2004. The struggling Raptors agreed and sent him to the New Jersey Nets, acquiring Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams and Aaron Williams and two middle to late first-round picks.

Mourning declined to report, and Toronto had to buy out the rest of his contract. Neither of the other two players made a significant impact.

The lesson?

Be sure the players you acquire are on board with your plans.

Suns owner Robert Sarver and general manager Steve Kerr have taken heat for the direction of the franchise under their leadership. The convergence of economic challenges and lack of success are likely to inspire a very real makeover.

"You build and put pieces together. You go for it and give everything you got for that big trophy," Pat Williams said. "If you don't get there and the timing has run out, you can do one of two things: muddle along or start all over again."

Suns management is contemplating one of the biggest trades of its tenure. History sends one important message: Proceed with caution.

Paola Boivin writes for The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic