NBA free agency: 30 worst free agent signings in NBA history
player. 27. . New York Knicks. 5 Years, $99.7 Million. Amar'e Stoudemire. 4
Worst free agency signings in NBA history: 4. Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
Amar’e Stoudemire got off to quite the start in his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns. He won the 2002-03 NBA Rookie of the Year award and made five NBA All-Star appearances in Phoenix. Stoudemire put up stellar numbers with the Suns and in 2010 as one of the most sought-after free agents in the offseason.
Stoudemire signed a five-year, $99.7 million deal to be a centerpiece for the Knicks alongside Carmelo Anthony. His addition proved useful in year one, as he made an NBA All-Star appearance, while putting up 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 blocks per game through 78 appearances, as New York made its first playoff appearance since 2004.
They were swept in the first round and the NBA lockout shortened the 2011-12 NBA season, which caused a dip in Stoudemire’s production to 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks per contest.
The Knicks managed to make the playoffs again, but after a Game 2 loss to the Miami Heat, Stoudemire cut his hands after punching a fire extinguisher on the wall which required stitches and caused him to miss Game 3.
He returned in Game 4 of the series to record 20 points and 10 rebounds and snap a 13-game playoff losing streak, but the damage was done as they went on to lose the series, 4-1.
The injury bug jumped on him during the 2012-13 NBA season causing him to miss the first 30 games of the regular season due to a right knee injury. He returned for 29 games, but was sidelined once again to undergo a procedure to clean up his knee.
Stoudemire managed to return for the 2013 NBA Playoffs, but he was never the same. He averaged 14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest that season.
The next year, his numbers dipped even more to 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. During the 2014-15 NBA season, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, ending his run with the Knicks by having to move in the final year of his contract.