As Knicks officials continued their whirlwind free-agent tour on Friday, they quietly crept toward a possible agreement with the one star player with whom they have yet to meet: Amar’e Stoudemire.

The Knicks have made Stoudemire a $100 million contract offer, the maximum allowed, according to a person involved in the talks, and are awaiting the chance to convince him in person. A meeting in New York could come as soon as Sunday. The person requested anonymity because he was discussing private negotiations.

The chances of landing Stoudemire increased dramatically on Friday when he broke off negotiations with the Phoenix Suns. The Suns quickly reached a deal with another power forward, Hakim Warrick, effectively signaling the end of Stoudemire’s eight-year run in Phoenix.

“It wasn’t the right deal,” Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walters, told the Arizona Republic. He added, “He’ll be sad to leave his teammates and the city he loves but it’s time to move on.”

While the Knicks await a decision from LeBron James, Stoudemire could become the first major figure in their rebuilding plan. But first they will have to sell him on that plan, which might require more than extending a max offer of $99.7 million over five years.

Like many star players, Stoudemire is said to be wary of coming to New York without assurances that another elite player would join him. The Knicks would surely use an agreement with Stoudemire as an added enticement to James and Dwyane Wade. But if those players sign elsewhere, which seems likely, Stoudemire could find himself cast in the unenviable role of franchise savior.

Having purged the payroll to clear cap room, the Knicks are left with a depleted roster. Just five players are under contract — Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, Bill Walker and Eddy Curry — and there are no stars among them.

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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/03/sports/basketball/03nba.html?_r=1&src=tptw

Seems Amare is waiting to see if anyone can make a more appealing offer. i.e. Play in his home state of Florida or team up with another star.

martin wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:

martin wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:

Andrew wrote:

KnicksSince88 wrote:This weaker imitation cartilage is not going to hold up for the rest of Amare's life...

As long as it holds up until we sign Lebron I'm ok.

This is my thought. I'm not a big Amar'e guy but if it means LBJ signs then all good. I know we will have to worry about those knees down the road. Suns not willing to go pass 4 yrs. should be all the notice the Knicks need to know that they have to manage those knees like they did with Patrick. We should look for a good serviceable backup to give him significant breathers. PEJ would be a decent one.

decent for the SL.

You don't think he can make a NBA roster? His play improved in the D-League and we aren't talking about significant minutes. With the lack of cap space you got to get creative.

no

LOL. Could you expand just a little. I mean we put Landry on our roster last season. He was ok but nothing to write home about either. I think PEJ's defense could be utilize in MDA's schemes like JJ2. He can play the 3/4.

martin wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:

martin wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:

martin wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:

Andrew wrote:

KnicksSince88 wrote:This weaker imitation cartilage is not going to hold up for the rest of Amare's life...

As long as it holds up until we sign Lebron I'm ok.

This is my thought. I'm not a big Amar'e guy but if it means LBJ signs then all good. I know we will have to worry about those knees down the road. Suns not willing to go pass 4 yrs. should be all the notice the Knicks need to know that they have to manage those knees like they did with Patrick. We should look for a good serviceable backup to give him significant breathers. PEJ would be a decent one.

decent for the SL.

You don't think he can make a NBA roster? His play improved in the D-League and we aren't talking about significant minutes. With the lack of cap space you got to get creative.

no

LOL. Could you expand just a little. I mean we put Landry on our roster last season. He was ok but nothing to write home about either. I think PEJ's defense could be utilize in MDA's schemes like JJ2. He can play the 3/4.

3/4: Gallo, Chandler, Walker, Fields, perhaps Amare, perhaps Lee. Plus, he's an SL talent.

my thinking includes that those of those pieces would have to be included in a trade with the Hornets if we strike out on LBJ. Not sure about Walker defensively above a 2. Not including Lee in any situation. We'll see during SL though. I don't know about Fields.