Amare officially going to NY

[MR.ballin]

Stoudemire agrees to five-year deal with Knicks

By David Aldridge, TNT analyst
Posted Jul 5 2010 5:39PM - Updated Jul 5 2010 6:05PM

The New York Knicks finally got a return on their two years of self-induced misery on Monday, finishing up the final touches on a five-year contract for Phoenix Suns free agent forward Amar'e Stoudemire that is expected to be worth around $100 million. A source indicates a formal announcement from Stoudemire should be forthcoming within the hour at Madison Square Garden.

Stoudemire and the Knicks quickly found each other last week, each in need of a soft landing place. The 27-year-old Stoudemire was looking for a team that still believed he could be a dominant player in the next few years, despite concerns about his knees and his eyes following serious injuries to each. And the Knicks, who'd sold their fans for the last two years that they'd be a major player in free agency this summer, able to lure the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, were desperate for a splashy acquisition that would give fans hope and add to their depleted roster.

Stoudemire chafed at constant trade rumors involving him the last two years, but after helping lead Phoenix to the Western Conference finals, he still negotiated with the Suns when the free agent negotiating period began last week. But after he and the Suns could not reach agreement on a new deal -- Phoenix was unwilling to give him five guaranteed years on a new contract, preferrring team options in the last two years of a deal -- the Suns quickly moved on, agreeing to terms with free agent forward Hakim Warrick on a four-year, $18 million deal and agreeing on a new contract with their own free agent forward, Channing Frye, for five years and $30 million.

Stoudemire spent the Fourth of July weekend in New York, ending up at a party in the Hamptons with his agent, Happy Walters, at the home of Knicks owner James Dolan on Sunday night. After the two sides commenced official negotiations Monday it did not take long for New York to make its offer and for Stoudemire to accept, with a final meeting Monday afternoon between Stoudemire and the team's ownership group, led by Dolan, making it official.

What Stoudemire brings in terms of production (career averages of 21.4 points and 8.9 rebounds) isn't that much different than what New York got last season from David Lee, the 26-year-old free agent forward who finished second in the league in rebounds last season and averaged 20 and 11 in Mike D'Antoni's system last season. Neither is known for his defense, either. But Stoudemire brings a star power that the Knicks have lacked for almost a decade, since the end of the Patrick Ewing era. And he provides an anchor from which the team can try to lure other premier free agents.

Stoudemire said over the weekend that he thought he could lure both Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and Spurs guard Tony Parker to New York, though both are currently under contract to their respective teams for another year. But a Spurs source said on Sunday that San Antonio has no interest in trading Parker to the Knicks in any kind of package involving Lee, the only significant chip the Knicks have left to use in a potential deal.

Yahoo! Sports first reported that the two sides had formally discussed an offer and that Stoudemire was meeting with Dolan on Monday.

The deal cannot be finalized until July 8, when free agents can sign with teams.

I know most of you knew this. But wanted to post a topic for people who don't often look at off season thread. But anyways Welcome to NY Amare!

 

[VC15]

Is he bringing Steve Nash with him?

 

[WhenIRap]

BITTTCCCCCHHHEESSSSS.
LeBron next <3.

 

[cruzg24]

This a major step in the rebuilding process of the Knicks and I really like it.

 

[Dorado]

lebrons not going to NY lol

I bet you anything that hes staying in Cleveland

 

[elcheato]

Knicks need to get someone to go with him, if not it's a bad signing. I will be interested in seeing him without Nash though.

 

[cruzg24]

I completely agree, this will be a horrible signing if we dont pair him up with someone. For some reason I can really see Carmelo Anthony coming to NY as well. I was right about STAT and I think Melo is coming to the Knicks.

 

[Dorado]

I can see tony parker in a kinicks uni before i ever see melo in it

 

[elcheato]

Melo wants to play in New York, but I don't know if he'll decline that offer from the Nuggets, seems like too much money to turn down with a new CBA coming in.

 

[Rice18]

This is a great sign. Hopefully they get someone with him.

 

[Pugz]

i see melo staying put. amare will need a point to be able to get him the ball in stride or hes going to look even more average. i mean amare has a big name, but he does have a mediocre game. product of a system, not a championship caliber player. i do like him though, always have. until i see another big time player going there then this is bad.

 

[RipCity32]

IDK Amare has developed a nice off the dribble game IMO.
I think he will be just fine in NY.

 

[dez]

Thank you Rip

 

[RipCity32]

Plus he is under D'Antoni again. So if he were a system player, he is still in the system.

 

[dez]

I could see the talk about him needing a PG though, but you all need to remember he was a 20 and 9 player BEFORE Nash came to Phoenix and he has expanded his game since, adding a mid range jumper and like Rip said a offensive game off the dribble.

 

[RipCity32]

Yes regardless he will be fine in NY.

 

[cruzg24]

So much for the Knicks missing on all the big free agents this year....

 

[Pugz]

amare does have a nice midrange, but it comes off of pick and pops most of the time. he WILL need a point who can get him the ball. im not saying this is bad, but they need to put the right players around him.

 

[.GR]

Yeah, if they don't get someone else this isn't a very good signing, but Amare is a beast either way.

 

[FLIP!]

There's speculation that the Knicks ae trying to trade Eddy Curry and his expiring contract to the Pistons for Rip hmm