Any plans that New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson and new head coach Derek Fisher have for the 2014-15 season now must include overpriced Amar'e Stoudemire.
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CSN Northwest reported Saturday night that Stoudemire, the oft-injured power forward for the Knicks who will turn 32 in November, has graciously declined to exercise his early termination option and will return to the team next season for a hefty, $23.4 million salary.
The 2014-15 season will be the final year of Stoudemire's five-year, $100 million contract with the Knicks, who had hoped that his pairing with Carmelo Anthony would bring the franchise a championship.
"He is opting in," a league source told CSN Northwest, speaking on the condition of anonymity because an official announcement has yet to be made.
Had Stoudemire chosen to exercise his early termination option, he would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer. And not received anything close to a $23.4 million contract, if any offers were to come at all.
Stoudemire average 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 65 games for the Knicks in 2013-14, CBSSports.com reported. Those numbers are far off his career averages of 20.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
CBSSports.com added that a Knicks trade of Stoudemire would be unlikely because expiring contracts such as his no longer have the value it once did under the league's collective bargaining agreement. The Knicks would have to pay a considerable price to unload Stoudemire, which would put another barrier in front of Jackson's hopes of turning the franchise around.
Multiple media reports have indicated that Anthony, who also has an early termination option, intends to use it and is leaning toward the Chicago Bulls or Houston Rockets as a destination next season.
Do you think Amar'e Stoudemire's return has any potential to help the New York Knicks next season? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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