Amar’e Stoudemire’s time with the Knicks may finally be coming to an end.
Almost a half-decade ago, the Knicks handed him a five-year, $100 million contract that has become the symbol for all that was wrong with the impulsive and reflexive and logic-eschewing franchise. The upcoming summer has long been the light at the end of this dark, dank, dingy tunnel. Stoudemire’s $23.4 million salary—the second-highest in the league—will come off the books, and both he and the Knicks can move on.
Except it turns out that both parties might be able to move on sooner. As in the next couple weeks. According to Yahoo Sports’ Marc J. Spears, the 32-year-old Stoudemire will consider asking the Knicks for a buyout over the All-Star break:
Amar’e Stoudemire plans to use the All-Star break to decide whether to ask the New York Knicks for a contract buyout that could free him to potentially sign with a playoff contender.
“It’s not an easy decision to make,” Stoudemire told Yahoo Sports. “Over time, we will see how things pan out. You give yourself a break during the All-Star break. You think about it with your family. …That will give me a good solid week on how to weigh out the rest of the season.”
Stoudemire, who hopes to return to the court on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets after being sidelined with a sprained right ankle, is in the final year of a five-year, $100 million contract. With Stoudemire making $23.4 million this season, it is virtually impossible for the Knicks to trade him before the Feb. 19 deadline.
The Knicks have the NBA’s second-worst record at 10-39, but have played better of late.
“All possibilities at this point are still open,” Stoudemire said of a possible buyout. “The door is still open for that. But at the same time, I am with the Knicks now. I got to stay optimistic about things and what we are doing here. I can’t really focus on the future because it’s not here.
“We still have a couple weeks left before it’s all said and done. It’s a decision I have to make with my family to figure out the best scenario for the near future.”
Makes sense.
At 10-39, the Knicks are worlds away from making the playoffs. When they’re finally ready to start making moves, it will be the offseason, and Stoudemire won’t be part of their future plans. That’s basically a guarantee at this point. The idea of him sticking around on a discount has been posed many times, but Stoudemire’s incessant injuries make a return beyond unlikely. Openly talking about a buyout makes it impossible.
Stoudemire has had nothing but good things to say about the Knicks over the years, even now. He told Spears his loyalty will always lie in New York, so his departure is not one of frustration or malice or dissolving relations. There is “great communication” between himself and the Knicks apparently.
No, this is about an alliance running its course. Stoudemire’s tenure with the Knicks has served its purpose. It’s time to move on.
