Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Wants Amar’e Stoudemire to Stay

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, Amar’e Stoudemire will consider requesting a buyout from the New York Knicks. Without voicing too much of a conflicting interest, a star wants him to stay.

Per Al Iannazzone of Newsday, franchise player Carmelo Anthony told reporters that he’d like to see Stoudemire remain with the Knicks.

Whether or not he requests or receives a buyout, Stoudemire will become a free agent this coming summer.

The combination of Anthony, Tyson Chandlerand Stoudemire was supposed to net the Knicks a return to prominence. STAT was an MVP candidate in 2010-11, Chandler was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12 and Anthony won the scoring title in 2012-13, but it never came together.

Between Stoudemire’s injuries and Mike Woodson‘s shifting rotations, the Knicks failed to live up to their potential.

Should Anthony convince Stoudemire to re-sign, it would inevitably be at a more cost-effective level than his current $23.4 million. That duo wouldn’t be enough to lead the Knicks to a championship, but it would help form a promising rotation.

Stoudemire’s averaged at least 11.9 points on 54.9 percent shooting or better in three consecutive seasons. He’s played no more than 24.3 minutes per game in that time, which has displayed a new role that he’s capable of filling.

Stoudemire could very easily be the third big man on a contender.

He isn’t the most polished post player, but he’s an efficient scorer who knows how to get into the paint. He’ll play under and above the rim, knock down a mid-range jumper and help solidify a second unit.

With star-caliber players at either interior position, the Knicks could use free agency to develop one of the best frontcourts in the NBA—key word, “Could.”

The hurdle here is that Stoudemire is generating significant interest from current contenders. Should he request a buyout, some of the top teams in both conferences would make a play at him.

Per Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein of ESPN Dallas, the 35-19 Dallas Mavericks are the front-runners to land the former All-NBA big.

"The Dallas Mavericks would be considered front-runners to sign Amar’e Stoudemire if the 13-year veteran opts to pursue a contract buyout from the New York Knicks, according to league sources.Stoudemire made it clear in his public comments that he’s not yet sure if he wants to seek a buyout from the Knicks to join a contender for the stretch run, but sources told ESPN.com that Dallas has quickly emerged as a prime landing spot if he becomes a free agent."

According to Tim Kawakami of Mercury News, the 41-9 Golden State Warriors have interest in signing the 32-year-old.

"In my column last night/today, I mentioned that the Warriors would definitely have some interest in Knicks PF Amare Stoudemire if he is bought out by New York in the next few weeks.Stoudemire isn’t close to the same player he was 8 years ago and not even what he was 3 or 4 years ago, he’s always a health risk, and he has always been a shaky defensive player… plus it sounds like he might want to end up with Dallas, anyway.But Stoudemire starred under Alvin Gentry in Phoenix… when Kerr was the GM there… and I think both men might be able to see a back-up 4/5 role for Stoudemire with the Warriors if he was interested in coming for a playoff sprint."

Throw in the likes of the 35-17 Toronto Raptors, which Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com reports is in the market for a big man, and Stoudemire has some intriguing options.

Stoudemire’s been a stand-up individual throughout his tenure in New York, and his commitment to this team and city is undeniable. With the opportunity to play quality minutes on a contender, however, it’s hard to imagine his choosing to remain with a 10-42 Knicks team.

As Stoudemire weighs his options, it should be known that Anthony would prefer for him to remain in New York.

Next: The Knicks need to shut Carmelo Anthony down for the rest of the 2014-15 season.