NBA Trade Rumors: Amar'e Stoudemire and New York Knicks Agree on Max Deal
ESPN is reporting that Amar'e Stoudemire has agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract with the New York Knicks.
The 27-year-old power forward was one of the most prized free agents this summer, after averaging 23.1 points per game and 8.9 rebounds for Phoenix.
At 6'10" and almost 250 pounds, Stoudemire will add a massive inside presence to New York's run-and-gun uptempo offense. He has been a constant threat on both ends of the court for a number of years now, and he will be a huge upgrade crashing the offense glass and blocking shots on D.
Last season, David Lee averaged 20 points and double-digit boards for New York, but it could be Lee who suffers the most in this situation, whether it's because he has to move on, or return to a reduced frontcourt role.
It also likely spells the end of any Chris Bosh rumors, but it definitely does not do anything at all to hurt their chances of getting LeBron.
LeBron has met with the Knicks a couple times over the last week, and while he was rumored to want to play with Bosh, he has also said that he would like to play with Stoudemire.
ESPN's Chris Sheridan says this first major signing of the offseason gives the Knicks a definite advantage over teams like the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls.
Nonetheless, nothing official can happen until Thursday.
