The 2019 offseason has already been one of the more intriguing summers that we’ve seen in recent years and now things got even more interesting with two former NBA stars looking to make returns to the NBA.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Schultz, Amar’e Stoudemire and Monta Ellis are both holding a private workout for NBA teams this coming week. The veterans are reportedly healthy and are hoping to sign with a contending team such as the Los Angeles Lakers.
Amar’e Stoudemire and Monta Ellis will workout privately for at least five NBA teams from 6-7pm — in Las Vegas — on July 8, a source tells ESPN. Both players are healthy and hoping to sign with a contending team, such as the #Lakers.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 4, 2019
Though both Monta Ellis and Amar’e Stoudemire were stars in their respective primes, those days are well in the rearview and neither has played against NBA competition in multiple years. Stoudemire last played in the NBA as a member of the Miami Heat in 2016. Since, Stoudemire has taken his talents overseas and had been playing professionally in Israel for the past three years. Ellis last played for the Pacers in 2017.
It’s hard to believe but Stoudemire and Ellis are still at a playing age, with the former now 36 years old while Ellis is 33. Ellis was an electrifying combo guard in his prime and was an explosion waiting to happen on the offensive side of the ball. While his NBA prime was short-lived, he was capable of heating up in a hurry but it’s had to envision his game aging well considering his shaky jumper.
Stoudemire was even more incredible during his days in the NBA, making the All-NBA team on five different occasions. However, Stoudemire’s game was also built largely on his athleticism and rim-rolling but we did see an improved stroke towards the latter parts of his career.
Whether either of these players can help a team like the Lakers remains to be seen, but there’s obviously some interest in their returns if more than five NBA teams will be in attendance for the workout. if the Lakers do land Kawhi Leonard, they’ll be on a quest to fill out the rest of their roster with cheap, veteran pieces so Stoudemire and Ellis may certainly be considered as realistic options if all goes well at next week’s workout.
