There's a growing suspicion New York Knicks veteran Amar'e Stoudemire will ask - and receive - a buyout this season, something which he hasn't ruled out. If he and the Knicks do reach a buyout agreement, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks are among the teams reportedly interested in signing him.
Amid a losing season in New York, Stoudemire plans to use the upcoming All-Star break to decide whether asking for a buyout is the right decision for him to make.
"It's not an easy decision to make," Stoudemire said, via Yahoo Sports. "Over time, we will see how things pan out. You give yourself a break during the All-Star break. You think about it with your family. ... That will give me a good solid week on how to weigh out the rest of the season.
"All possibilities at this point are still open. The door is still open for that. But at the same time, I am with the Knicks now. I got to stay optimistic about things and what we are doing here. I can't really focus on the future because it's not here."
Stoudemire has missed 17 of the last 21 games with a hurt ankle. Despite his current injury, he's overall been the healthiest he's been in years and his production - 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game - would be a boon for a playoff-bound team who needs a big man to provide meaningful minutes off the bench.
If Stoudemire were to be bought out and become a free agent before March 1, there would apparently be an eager market awaiting him. Yahoo Sports' Marcus J. Spears reported the Portland Trail Blazers, the Clippers and the Mavericks all would likely pursue him.
For Stoudemire to be playoff-eligible for another team, he would have to become a free agent and sign with the new team no later than March 1.
Also in Knicks news, team president Phil Jackson reportedly is still trying to trade veteran guard Jose Calderon before the Feb. 19 deadline. With his 10-39 team headed to the NBA lottery, Jackson wants to clear as much salary as possible to give him plenty of cap room to pursue big-name free agents in the summer. That means moving Calderon.
"A source said the Knicks are actively trying to unload guard Jose Calderon's contract," Spears wrote Monday. "Calderon is owed $7.4 million in 2015-16, and $7.7 million in 2016-17."
Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy also expects Jackson to try to deal Calderon, although it's unlikely New York gets anything back worthwhile for the 33-year-old Spaniard.
"I'd be surprised if he's a Knick after the deadline," Kennedy wrote Jan. 21. "If he is still there, it means they tried to move him and failed - not that they wanted to keep him. They really want to get his money off of the books since he's owed over $7 million for the next two seasons. ...
"Don't expect New York to get anything significant back for Calderon. This would be a contract dump where they take back expiring deals and maybe a pick. They aren't going to trade for anyone who has a deal beyond this season because - again - then they limit their flexibility."
Jackson already cleared more than $30 million in cap space by getting rid of J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Samuel Dalembert. Potential free agents Jackson is expected to court in the offseason include Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and - depending on what happens before the trade deadline - restricted free agent guard Reggie Jackson of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
