There is a good chance that Amar’e Stoudemire would end up returning to the Phoenix Suns if he does accept a contract buyout from the New York Knicks.
As the NBA’s February 19th trade deadline continues to draw closer, there are other players that are talking about the possibility of contract buyouts with their current teams. One of those players is big man Amar’e Stoudemire with the New York Knicks.
Stoudemire would instantly become a prized target on the open market, and one team that seems like a good fit for him would be the Phoenix Suns. According to a report from Jordan Schultz of The Huffington Post, the Suns would likely be the front-runners for Stoudemire if he does end up accepting a buyout from the Knicks.
Amar'e Stoudemire buyout depends on how much money he wants to give up, but #Suns are likely front-runners/serious contenders if it happens.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 10, 2015
The New York Knicks have been an absolute disaster this season, and even Phil Jackson has been very open and vocal about his disappointment with the team. They are just 10-42 so far this season, and aren’t showing any signs of life. Carmelo Anthony has dealt with knee issues all year long, and is likely regretting his decision to re-sign with the Knicks last offseason.
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Stoudemire has been one of the more consistent players for the Knicks, averaging 12.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Phoenix is currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff race with a record of 29-25. One of their biggest issues is the lack of a legitimate center, and that is an area that Stoudemire could potentially improve. He isn’t the athletic freak that he once was, but he is still a very polished offensive big man that can make some plays and alter shots at the rim on defense.
There is no question that he would immediately be an upgrade over either Miles Plumlee or Alex Len for the remainder of the season.
That being said, the Suns aren’t going to be the only team that has interest in signing him if Stoudemire does take a buyout. Another team that has been mentioned as legitimate suitors for him is the Dallas Mavericks, who are in need of some front-court help themselves.
Returning home to Phoenix would likely be an attractive option for Stoudemire. He did enjoy his tenure with them before heading to New York, and he would be a much bigger key for the Suns than he would for the Mavericks. Other teams outside of those two are going to have interest in him, but they seem to be his top two suitors at this point in time.
It is going to be a very interesting situation to watch unfold and to see where Stoudemire ends up. He still is more than capable of making an impact on the game, and the Suns would be getting a huge midseason acquisition if they did sign Stoudemire.
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