Nets One of Three Teams Leading Candidates to Sign Amar'e Stoudemire

ESPN's Marc Stein quotes sources close to the Amar'e Stoudemire negotiations as saying the Heat and the Nets "are the two teams most likely to sign [Stoudemire] away from Phoenix."

Stoudemire has a player option on his $17.7 million contract, but reportedly wants to re-work and extend the deal. He is generally considered the fourth most attractive free agent in this free agency sweepstakes-next to Lebron, Wade, and Bosh.

ESPN adds the Suns are hopeful that if they cannot resign their all-Star, they will be able to get something in return for him. But the better situation would be to resign him. Suns' owner Robert Sarver says chances are greater than 50-50.

The Nets should make a run at Amar'e and LeBron and sign Phil Jackson as coach this summer. To get Lebron, they should draft DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors-unless the 76ers take Favors at 2 (as some rumors have them doing)-which means Turner falls into their lap at #3

I've always liked Stoudemire's game. For one, he doesn't back down on the court. The Nets need someone like him to help Brook Lopez develop. A potential front-line of Stoudemire and Lopez with Favors or Cousins coming off the bench would make for an interesting Nets team next season.

Jay-Z and Prokhorov just have to show King James the money and the rest will follow.