The New York Knicks and Amar'e Stoudemire parted ways on Monday, with the team waiving Stoudemire and his $23.4 million and now he is expected to clear waivers by mid-week and teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies are interested in him.
Stoudemire and the Knicks had been considering a buyout for some time and Stoudemire said he would think about his future over the All-Star break. Stoudemire said he is leaving the Knicks with a "heavy heart" and reports from ESPN have the Dallas Mavericks as the favorites to land Stoudemire. The team originally signed Stoudemire to a five year deal worth $99 million back in the summer of 2010 and he was one of the main reasons the Knicks eventually were in a position to trade for Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony and stoudemire hoped to bring success back to the Big Apple, but the era with the two stars now ends with mostly middling results. Stoudemire is in his 13th season in the league and he has played in 36 games this season while averaging 12 points and seven rebounds per game. Stoudemire is 32-years-old and likely could contribute to a contending team as they try and make a run in the playoffs. Stoudemire has had serious injury problems in the past, missing 14 of the last 18 games nearly half of the games over the last two seasons. Stoudemire has been able to be a consistent player when healthy and he said he is hoping to play for a team that contends for a championship.
According to ESPN.com, the Mavericks can only offer Stoudemire the veteran's minimum and he can play at both center and power forward for Dallas. The Mavericks made a big move to get Rajon Rondo and they also traded for Tyson Chandler from the Knicks earlier in the season. The Knicks have been looking to make major moves at the deadline and players like Pablo Prigioni and Jose Calderon could be traded, while forward Andrea Bargnani could also be waived.
