The New York Knicks hosted the 2015 All-Star Game on Sunday, but that didn’t mean that the team stopped working to get better for next season. It has been reported that Amare Stoudamire and the Knicks have reached an agreement for a buyout, which means that the big man is now a free-agent. Stoudamire, even though past his prime, is a very solid rotation player that could help a contender in the postseason. The San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors have all shown interest in signing him.
Stoudamire looks like a good fit in all of those teams, but in my opinion he would be most efficient if he chooses to sign with the Spurs. Gregg Poppovich always knows how to treat his veterans, giving them enough rest throughout the season and keeping them fresh. Amare isn’t even close to his old form, because of multiple injuries in the past couple of years. However, this doesn’t mean that he can’t be helpful.
Before the start of the current campaign, Knicks president Phil Jackson thought that his team would be able to compete for a playoff spot, however it wasn’t long before everybody realized that New York wouldn’t be able to play in the postseason. In early January, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a minimal return. Now, Stoudamire has been released for absolutely no return, except for dumping his salary. With Carmelo Anthony probably done for the season, it looks like the New York Knicks are going in full tank mode, hoping to lose as many games as possible. Even though this process is very painful, it could prove to be more than beneficial for the future.
It’s difficult to predict which team will sign Stoudamire, but it’s very likely that it will be from the Western Conference. The playoff race there is fierce and teams are fighting real hard to get a better spot in the standings. The Mavericks are in a desperate need of better bench players and they will most likely try to sign Stoudamire harder than everybody else. Nevertheless, the Spurs and Warriors shouldn’t be ruled out as possible landing spots.
NBA Rumors: Amare Stoudamire released by Knicks - Spurs, Mavericks, Warriors interested in him
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