Over the All-Star break many players, if not involved in All-Star festivities, take the time to be with their families, maybe rest and relax or even do other things involving their business brand.
For New York Knicks $100 Million power forward, Amar’e Stoudemire, he’s going to decide whether or not he’ll be leaving the team and joining a contender.
From Yahoo! Sports Marc J. Spears.
“It’s not an easy decision to make,” Stoudemire told Yahoo Sports. “Over time, we will see how things pan out. You give yourself a break during the All-Star break. You think about it with your family. …That will give me a good solid week on how to weigh out the rest of the season.”
“All possibilities at this point are still open,” Stoudemire said of a possible buyout. “The door is still open for that. But at the same time, I am with the Knicks now. I got to stay optimistic about things and what we are doing here. I can’t really focus on the future because it’s not here.
“We still have a couple weeks left before it’s all said and done. It’s a decision I have to make with my family to figure out the best scenario for the near future.”
“I’m sure we will have an open discussion about it,” Stoudemire said. “We have a great communicative relationship with the Knicks. I am sure we will make a sound decision together.”
The Knicks, however, are more focused at this point on negotiating a buyout with forward Andrea Bargnani than Stoudemire, a league source said.
Can’t really blame Amar’e. The Knicks aren’t good at all this year, in fact they currently sit dead last in the Eastern Conference standings and they currently have the second best odds to finish with the worst record in the NBA this season.
The Knicks have the NBA’s second-worst record at 10-39, but have played better of late going 5-5 in their last 10 games. There was one point the Knicks only had 5 wins and 30+ losses.
Stoudemire’s injuries, particularly to his knee and back, have kept him from living up to his massive 5-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2010. Before the trade for Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e was the lone star on the Knicks and he was even considered an MVP candidate through the first 3 months of the 2010-11 season paired up with Raymond Felton under Mike D’Antoni’s offense.
Knee injury flares up, trade for Carmelo and getting rid of Felton and Stoudemire hasn’t been the same since. He started this past season coming off the bench for Derek Fisher in the final year of his massive deal.
The Knicks have still been gracious for his professionalism through all the injuries and losses. They could even try to re-sign him at a much lower salary this summer if he feels like he can continue to play and contribute to what may be a completely new look team.
The 32-year old Stoudemire is averaging 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 24.5 minutes in 32 games this season. He says he still has interest in playing several more seasons before pursuing a career as a TV analyst.
More from Yahoo! Sports.
“My heart always lies with the Knicks,” Stoudemire said. “My loyalty is with [Knicks owner] Mr. [Jim] Dolan. I feel like New York is my home now. I feel like I’m a New Yorker for sure.
“I have a farm here. I have family and friends here. New York will always be my home whether I am here playing for the Knicks or not.”
Potential suitors for Stoudemire could run the gambit of contenders who could use some help.
One team that could have interest in Stoudemire if he becomes a free agent is the Los Angeles Clippers. Their coach Doc Rivers said the team would be in the market for buyout players and Stoudemire could definitely shore up the depth issues the Clippers have. It also helps that one of the Clippers assistant coaches, Mike Woodson, also coached Stoudemire in New York. The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers are also looking a big man to help some issues they have due to injury or lack of depth. Don’t count out the Golden State Warriors as well, who have an assistant coach in Alvin Gentry that also was with Amar’e Stoudemire when they both were a part of the Phoenix Suns organization. For the right, cheap price, I’m sure the Warriors wouldn’t mind adding a player like STAT to contribute to this team.
