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New York Knicks Rumors: Amar’e Stoudemire Reunion Coming?

By Kenneth Teape

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New York Knicks Rumors: Could A Reunion With Amar’e Stoudemire Happen?

For the New York Knicks, this offseason is very important. Armed with a ton of cap space, there will undoubtedly be a number of new players on the roster this season, as the Knicks look to bounce back from a horrendous 2014-15 campaign. Could one of those moves be bringing back a familiar face in Amar’e Stoudemire?

Stoudemire signed with the Knicks back in the summer of 2010. The Knicks had big dreams of landing LeBron James and another max contract player. Plans didn’t go exactly as planned, as the Knicks were only able to land Stoudemire, but it was the first step in getting the Knicks back to relevance. Stoudemire was a beast for the Knicks that first season, playing at an MVP level as the go-to guy with a Knicks team that was finding success for the first time in a long time.

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Unfortunately for Stoudemire and the Knicks, things never truly reached the levels they were hoping for, as Stoudemire’s body continued to break down. After playing 76 games with the Knicks that first season, Stoudemire managed to only appear in 177 over the next three and a half seasons out of a possible 283 regular season games.

His production dropped over that time as well, as the injuries sapped him of the athleticism that made him the player that he was. His points and minutes per game all dropped significantly, and the huge contract that the Knicks gave him quickly became an albatross.

But, Stoudemire did bring a culture change to the Knicks. He was the first player willing to come to the Knicks even after they struggled so much. Sure the Knicks did offer him a boatload of money, giving him a max when no other team seemingly wanted to, but he did help put them back on the map.

While he will be remember for for the injuries that plagued him during his time with the Knicks, he looked like he fit a role this past season with the Knicks. He showed that he could be extremely productive in a reduced role, as he averaged 12 points, 6.8 rebounds and one assist per game for the Knicks in 36 games, averaging only 24 minutes per game. He was very efficient as well, shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 74 percent from the foul line.

View More: Who Is The Best Point Guard In Knicks’ History?

That kind of production would be perfect coming off the bench in a Sixth Man or reserve role. His ability to play both power forward and center would give the Knicks some flexibility on their bench. Also, at this point in his career, he could be signed for much cheaper than the Knicks signed him for back in 2010.

But, the Knicks will not the only suitors for Stoudemire this offseason. According to Jared Zwerling, Stoudemire is eyeing to re-sign with the Mavericks or return to the Phoenix Suns but the Knicks cannot be ruled out either.

Stoudemire started his career with the Suns, and are a team that was interested in bringing him back last season when the Knicks waived him. It would be a fitting end to his career if he finished things where it all began. With the Mavericks, there has to be a level of comfortability for Stoudemire, as he picked them when he was a free agent after being waived. He had a very limited role with the team once he got there, but that is probably what he can handle at this point of his career. But, the Mavericks are looking at a potential overhaul of their roster again, and the aging Stoudemire may not be in their plans.

That seems to be the extent of the interest in Stoudemire at this current point. While he can still bring some offensive firepower, he comes with obvious risks with his injury history. But, it would seem that those three teams have the upper hand if the choose to pursue him as Stoudemire will go to a place that he is comfortable being as his career winds down.

Next: Was Carmelo Anthony the best athlete in New York in 2014?

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