New York Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly is still likely to trade forward Amar'e Stoudemire before the February deadline. The most likely trade partner, as of now, remains the Philadelphia 76ers.
If Jackson can find somebody willing to take on Stoudemire's prorated contract before the trade deadline, he reportedly will.
"Do the Knicks eat the salary for the last year of his contract, or do they get something for him now if they can?" Larry Coon of Basketball Insiders wrote Friday. "They could have about $25M in cap room next summer if they wait it out, but I can see Phil getting the ball rolling by bringing in someone he wants if he has the chance."
Stoudemire is on an expiring contract, and a team trading for him in February would only have to actually pay him around $8 million. Philadephia, because the team is currently below the salary cap minimum, is the most likely trade partner for Stoudemire. Taking on Stoudemire's contract would earn 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie another asset - maybe a future pick from New York - to add to his war chest, without hurting his team's financial flexibility in the future.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported in August the strong possibility of Stoudemire going to Philadelphia.
"What's far more likely is that the long rumored Amar'e Stoudemire to Philadelphia deal gets done at the deadline," Kyler wrote Aug. 19. "The Sixers take on Stoudemire's $23 million salary cap number, which pushes them away over the minimum. They would only owe him roughly 30 percent of his remaining contract, so they'd end up paying him $7 million in cash and likely extract a draft pick or a rookie scale player for their troubles."
Another scenario, if Stoudemire is healthy, is a team who needs a veteran reserve trading for him. He was effective last season in his limited playing time, averaging 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds off the bench.
