Amare Stoudemire reached a buyout deal Monday with the worst team in the NBA the New York Knicks, making himself a free agent who could have a major impact for a team in playoff contention.
Stoudemire was in the final season of a five-year deal worth nearly $100 million that he signed in 2010 before being released by the Knicks, already ensured of a losing season at 10-43.
“Amare’s period as a Knickerbocker has come to pass, at his request,” Knicks president Phil Jackson said.
“His time here should be marked by recognising his effort – it was 100-percent. As we move forward in structuring this team, we will look for players that exhibit his desire to win.”
Stoudemire has averaged 12.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in 36 games for the Knicks this season, 14 of them as a starter. The 32-year-old forward averaged 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 255 games with the Knicks.
“Although I leave the Knicks with a heavy heart, I wish the organisation the best of luck,” Stoudemire said. “Once a Knick always a Knick.”
Stoudemire says his plan is to sign with a team fighting for a playoff berth and he could be a major factor in some team’s strategies ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Stoudemire, who spent eight seasons with the Phoenix Suns after they selected him ninth in the 2002 NBA Draft, has career averages of 20.0 points and 8.2 rebounds over 771 career NBA games.
In 2011, Stoudemire became the first Knicks player in 14 years in the starting line-up at the NBA All-Star Game.
