NBA Free Agents Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks Eyeing Amar’e Stoudemire
The New York Knicks and Amar'e Stoudemire have reportedly reached a buyout agreement on Sunday, giving the former All-Star a chance to sign with a title contender for the second half of the 2014-15 NBA season, including the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, Stoudemire agreed to a buyout deal before the 2015 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night. Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony was already informed about the deal as well.
"It's hard for me to believe," Anthony told reporters when asked about the agreement between Stoudemire and the Knicks. "It hasn't really sunk in. One of the main reasons I came to New York is because of him."
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Mavericks and the Clippers have already expressed strong interest in acquiring the 32-year-old forward, who signed a lucrative five-year deal worth around $100 million with the Knicks in 2010.
The Mavericks, who are currently in fifth place in the Western Conference standings with their 36-19 record, are reportedly looking to shore up their frontline rotation in the hope of making a deep run in the playoffs this season and are more serious in their pursuit compared to the Clippers.
However, the Mavericks are already over time salary-cap limit and could only offer a veteran's minimum deal to Stoudemire. Sources said, though, the Mavericks are considered favorites because Stoudemire could get a significant role playing behind Tyson Chandler and Dirk Nowitzki.
Chandler said in an interview with ESPN Stoudemire will be a good fit to the team because his former Knicks teammate is tailor-made for Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle's system.
"He would fit in great because we play a lot of pick-and-roll," Chandler said of Stoudemire. "Coach does an excellent job understanding scorers and how to get them the ball and putting them in a position to succeed. Not only that, we've got the best training staff in the league. That also helps."
Aside from the Clippers and the Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns are also eyeing a reunion with their former superstar. Stoudemire also has ties to the Golden State Warriors, particularly to former Suns general manager and current Warriors coach Steve Kerr, but ESPN reported the team has yet to reach out to the 13-year veteran.
Stein added teams looking for frontline help like the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers are not expected to make a run at signing Stoudemire, contrary to previous reports and rumors.
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