Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks Agree to Buyout: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Amar'e Stoudemire managed to flee a nightmarish situation in the Big Apple, reportedly agreeing to a buyout with the New York Knicks Sunday night. 

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported the details of Stoudemire's exit from New York:

Multiple teams in the Western Conference are interested in Stoudemire, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:

Former teammate Carmelo Anthony talked about losing Stoudemire, per Ian Begley of ESPN New York:

Stoudemire made it publicly known in February that he was trying to move to a team with some hope to make a run for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

"Father Time is ticking," said Stoudemire, via the New York Post's Marc Berman. "You want to try to take advantage of good health when you can and try to win a championship when you can. But that's still the conversation we have to have in the near future."

The dynamic big man took the plunge in 2010 and committed to the Knicks, signing a lucrative five-year, $100 million contract with hopes to revamp the franchise. Results ranged between mixed to poor, as New York advanced past the first round in the playoffs just once in Stoudemire's time with the team.

Injuries have plagued Stoudemire since he played 78 games in his first full Knicks season. He was only a part-time starter at best over the past four seasons.

The time was ripe for Stoudemire to leave through a buyout, as New York is languishing among the NBA's worst teams in 2014-15. Having never won an NBA title before, it makes sense that Stoudemire wants to pursue that goal while he's still fit enough to play.

A starting role won't be in the cards for Stoudemire if he does indeed go to a contender, but he could prove to be a spark off the bench. And he could find a greater sense of urgency in a new, stimulating environment.

The Knicks weren't going to get much more out of Stoudemire as it was. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, which mitigated his trade value. The buyout was an ideal option for two parties that respect each other.

It's up to Carmelo Anthony to serve as New York's true centerpiece and help restore the Knicks to prominence. Based on this year's calamity on the hardwood, Anthony and Co. have a long way to go.