Stoudemire will be officially waived on Monday…
The New York Knicks have reached an agreement with Amar’e Stoudemire on a contract buy-out, league sources have confirmed.
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According to ESPN, the two parties reached the agreement on Sunday with Stoudemire now intending on signing with a playoff contender after clearing waivers on Monday.
The Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns have all been linked with a move, but it remains to be seen where the veteran ends up as he is given the luxury of evaluating his options and picking the best landing spot for himself at this stage of his career.
The 32-year-old will officially be waived on Monday and will therefore be free to sign for a new team by 17:00 (ET) on Wednesday. Claiming Stoudemire off waivers would require that team to absorb his $23.4m salary, and so that rules that out of the equation.
Stoudemire was in the final year of his five-year contract with the Knicks worth $99.7m, and after admitting last week that he would use the All-Star break to consider his future, it is evident that all parties concerned have agreed that the best thing is for him to move on.
The Knicks struggled to fulfil their expectations after bringing in Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire to lead them to success over four years ago, with their best run coming two years ago when they made the second round of the playoffs in the East.
Stoudemire has been plagued by injuries in recent years which has limited him to 12.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 36 contests this season, but he can still do a job for a team off the bench to provide extra size in a second unit.
Anthony revealed that it was difficult to see him leave as one of the reasons he came to New York was to play alongside the former Suns star. However, the rebuilding process will continue in New York as team president Phil Jackson continues to clear space ahead of a huge splash in free agency this summer along with their Draft pick.
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