Phoenix Suns Amare Stoudemire to become a free agent
Phoenix Suns Superstar Power Forward Amar’e Stoudemire will join the free agent frenzy this off season after declaring that he will be opting-out of his final year with the Phoenix Suns.
The 27-year old Forward will join the big names in the Free Agent pool this summer which includes superstars like Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors, Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, and Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz.
The 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 23.1 points and 8.9 rebounds in the regular season this year and he led the Phoenix Suns back to the Playoffs after failing last year. He averaged 22.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in the Playoffs and helped Phoenix reached the Western Conference Finals but they were eventually defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Stoudemire decided to skip the final year of his contract because he feels like he deserves a maximum contract like the other free-agent superstars. But unlike the top free agent Lebron James, he is very vocal that he wants to stay in Phoenix, which drafted him in 2002.
"We've got the fans excited about basketball again. So what I don't want is for me to have to leave and the fans are now not quite as excited about the game here. I want to keep the hype, want to keep the fans involved, and want to keep everybody ecstatic about the Phoenix Suns." Stoudemire said.
The five-time All-Star is also not closing his door for a contract extension with Phoenix before the start of free agency period on July 1. The Phoenix Suns can offer him the maximum contract of about $127 million for six years.
Stoudemire also confirmed that his agent Happy Walters will be having a meeting with Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and General Manger Steve Kerr.
"My agent is doing a good job of keeping the line of communication open with Steve Kerr and Robert. Those guys became great friends, so I'll just sit back and let them handle it. Once it comes down to a bottom line, that's when I step in." he said.
"That meeting's going to tell a lot."
Sarver was said that he’s definitely open in giving him the maximum contract and spend a lot as long as he can get his money’s worth. But as of now, they have not decided whether they will give their prize forward a full six-year contract or just give him a short-term contract.
General Manager Kerr also said after their exit in the Western Conference Finals that he wants to keep the core of the team and just add some young bloods to boost their campaign.
Stoudemire’s career has been bothered by knee and eye injury which made him miss a lot of games in his entire NBA Career but he has been relatively healthy last season and he didn’t miss a single game.
"The most important factor of playing for an organization is to be able to be totally comfortable and give them 100 percent," he said.
"That's what I've done my whole career, so it's only right to look for a maximum contract. From the time that I was here we've done great. We've done great in the community, three Western Conference Finals; we've been in the playoffs and won 60 games or so in several years."
Amare has also been involved in a lot of trading talks in the past three years and was actually rumored to be heading to Cleveland before the trade deadline and join Lebron James in his quest for a title. Stoudemire however said that he understands that rumors are part of the business and it proves that there are a lot of interested teams.
"Now there's a chance to get me without giving up players. I'm pretty sure there's going to be a recruiting frenzy, but again it could not get to that point. You never know."
Tags: