New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire should ask for a buyout

Forward Amar’e Stoudemire should ask for the New York Knicks to buyout his contract and sign with a new team after the All-Star break

Amar’e Stoudemire is considering asking the New York Knicks to buyout the rest of his contract, which would allow him to sign with any team of his choosing, according to 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,” Stoudemire said, via Yahoo! Sports.

More from New York Knicks

Am I missing something here? What’s the decision he has to make?

Stoudemire isn’t going to play forever. In fact, he’s probably only got a year or two left after this season based on his knee injuries. If he’s going to leave New York, there’s never been a better time than right now.

Stoudemire’s $23.4 million contract isn’t possible to be moved with out a blockbuster-type deal in place, which means Stoudemire will either be bought out or he’ll stay with the Knicks for the rest of the season.

Stoudemire has a lot to consider, but if the Knicks are open to buying out his contract and letting him walk away, I can’t understand why he wouldn’t do it, other than family reasons. Stoudemire’s family lives in New York, and a move in the middle of the season is always difficult.

Perhaps, Stoudemire will find his truth in a nice wine bath over the All-Star break.

Looking at this from a realistic perspective, Stoudemire has to move now, if he’s willing to keep playing basketball at all.

After his contract expires this offseason, I doubt the Knicks are going to want to re-sign Stoudemire for a variety of basketball reasons.

Stoudemire is only averaging 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game, and he’s also missed 17 games this season.

I don’t see a team looking at his production or his god-awful defense and thinking, “You know who’s going to make our team better? Amar’e Stoudemire!”

No one is going to say that, but Stoudemire does still have a little hop in his step after all those knee procedures.

Right now, teams are desperate to pick up that extra piece for a playoff run.

According to the Yahoo! Sports reports, the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, and possibly the Portland Trail Blazers are possible suitors for Stoudemire.

Of the teams considering Stoudemire, Dallas seems like the most likely landing spot and probably the best fit for the former Suns big man. The Mavericks have the structure in place to add Stoudemire for that extra few minutes per game and only need him to do very little, which all Stoudemire can muster at this point of his career.

The Clippers need another big, as well, but I don’t see how adding Stoudemire, a huge defensive liability, makes the Clippers any better in the West. Stoudemire would get destroyed by pretty much every team in the Western Conference playoff race other than the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

For the Knicks, buying out Stoudemire’s contract seems like a no-brainer, especially with Anthony expected to undergo knee surgery after the All-Star break. The Knicks could use the extra roster spot to get more D-Leaguers some NBA experience and see if they can find some role players, like they have in Langston Galloway and Lance Thomas.

All season long, the writing on the wall has been there for the Knicks and for Stoudemire. It makes sense for both sides to go separate ways. It’s only a matter of time before it happens now.

Next: New York Knicks Free Agency Targets

More from Hoops Habit

Home/New York Knicks

Amar’e Stoudemire, get away from the New York Knicks!

By Bryce Olin | Feb 7, 2015

More from Hoops Habit