Kerr can’t afford more air balls

This is a tenuous time for the Phoenix Suns.

Their grip on Valley sports fans has been loosened. For only the second time in franchise history — 1998 being the other — they’re looking up at the Cardinals, both in terms of success and popularity.

Suns work out 6 players as NBA draft day approaches

Meanwhile, the roster is getting older, Shaquille O’Neal is on the block and Steve Nash wants to know what’s going on before he signs a contract extension.

The Suns aren’t about to sink to the depths of, say, the Los Angeles Clippers, but they’re not promised a soft landing, either. It’s entirely possible playoff basketball will be a memory around here the next few years.

Which brings us to Steve Kerr.

The Suns general manager hasn’t had the best couple of years on the job. He signed off on the Shaquille O’Neal-Shawn Marion trade. He couldn’t mend fences with coach Mike D’Antoni. He hired Terry Porter then fired him after 51 games.

And the two draft picks he raved about — Robin Lopez and Goran Dragic — struggled for much of their rookie seasons.

Kerr could use a quiet couple of months. But he’s not going to get them.

First up is Thursday’s NBA draft. The Suns have the 14th pick overall, and Kerr needs to get it right. Based on the e-mails and phone calls I receive, he’s already lost the fans’ trust. Blow this draft pick, and he’ll have to wear a disguise around town.

More importantly, Kerr has to figure out a way to successfully navigate the transition from O’Neal and Nash to a younger club while still keeping the Suns relevant — and within owner Robert Sarver’s budget.

The potential trade of O’Neal — while big in stature — is not the most critical element. The Suns know they won’t get much for O’Neal in return. The best they can hope for is a late first-round draft pick or a young player. Either way, the franchise won’t be dependent on the return.

No, it’s what Kerr does with Amaré Stoudemire and Nash these next few weeks — or months — that will determine the team’s future success and, to a large part, either restore Kerr’s reputation or destroy it completely.

Somehow, Kerr has to convince Nash that the team can win as it gets younger and cheaper. If he’s successful and Nash signs an extension, the Suns will, at the very least, be competitive and entertaining.

But if Nash leaves as a free agent after the 2009-10 season, Phoenix could become unwatchable. Unless, of course, you think the Dragic-Lopez-Jared Dudley triumvirate can be special.

Dealing with Stoudemire is even trickier. At first glance, it seems like the Suns should build around Stoudemire rather than try to dump him. He’s 26 years old and a perennial All-Star. You don’t trade those guys.

But, the only way Stoudemire stays past next season — he can opt out of his deal and become a free agent — is if Phoenix gives him a max contract. Kerr’s conundrum: Is Stoudemire’s talent worth that kind of money, particularly given the fact he’s not a leader and he plays hard on just one end of the floor?

My opinion? I’d trade Stoudemire. But then, it’s easier to say that than to pull it off. Plus, I’m not the one who will be maligned should Stoudemire grow up and become a true superstar elsewhere.

Kerr didn’t have to inherit these headaches. He could have stayed at TNT and lived the easy life. But he wanted the responsibility. So now he has it.

The Suns are in your hands, Steve.

Don’t drop them.