Knicks to Buy Out Amar’e Stoudemire: Are Warriors a Good Fit?
By Eric He
Back in 2007, the Golden State Warriors nearly traded Stephen Curry to the Suns for Amar’e Stoudemire, a deal that would have altered the course of both franchises immensely.
Now, they have a chance to nab Stoudemire again after the big man agreed to a buy out with the Knicks on Sunday night, according to the New York Daily News.
Stoudemire will have to clear waivers, which is essentially a guarantee given his $23.4 million salary, before being free to sign with any other team.
Although the Warriors are 42-9 and possess an envious amount of depth, they still lack a low post option off the bench who can score and defend.
Andrew Bogut, the starting center, is injury prone and has limited offensive capabilities. Draymond Green, the starting power forward, is undersized. David Lee is having a down year, Marreese Speights is more of a mid-range shooter than low-post player, Festus Ezeli can’t stay healthy, and Ognjen Kuzmic hasn’t proven himself to be an NBA player.
Thus, the Warriors are one long-term injury to Bogut away from having no low post presence, a situation that is all-too familiar to this team with Bogut’s absence in the playoffs last season having quite an adverse effect.
Nov 24, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Amar
Stoudemire would be more than capable of coming off the bench and playing important minutes. Although not the same player as he was back in 2007, Stoudemire is still averaging 12.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in 36 games this season, better numbers than last year. He is skilled offensively and fills in the void the Warriors have nicely.
The addition of Stoudemire would take minutes away from Lee, who has already seen his playing time diminished with the emergence of Green. Lee is in the midst of his worst season, averaging 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds, the lowest totals since his rookie season. He is struggling on offense and a liability on defense, which has been well-chronicled.
Feb 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) reacts after being called for a foul against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-96. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Daily News cites the Warriors, along with the Spurs and Mavericks, as possible destinations for Stoudemire. ESPN adds the Clippers and Suns to that list, but also contends that the Warriors are among the playoff teams looking for extra size — Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Cavaliers — who are not “actively pursuing” Stoudemire.
Yet, as the case is with any attractive player on the market, everything is fluid and the fact that the Warriors are even being mentioned means they will at least do their homework on Stoudemire.
Every day that passes with the Warriors sitting atop the Western Conference is another day that this franchise edges deeper and deeper into uncharted territory. The time is now for Joe Lacob, Bob Myers, and Co. to decide whether to keep the status quo and not risk ruining team chemistry or take that risk, fill a need, and make a run for the title.
The All-Star break is done, the fun and games over. It’s back to business for the Warriors, and it starts with making a decision on Amar’e Stoudemire.