The Dallas Mavericks reportedly are the frontrunners to sign ex-New York Knicks veteran Amar'e Stoudemire, who completed a buyout on Monday and is expected to become a free agent on Wednesday. Veteran center Jermaine O'Neal, meanwhile, removed himself as a free agent option for teams.
Stoudemire decided over the All-Star break that asking for a buyout was the best option for him. He and Knicks president Phil Jackson agreed to a buyout on Sunday - it reportedly saved New York $2 million - and on Monday it became official. He's expected to clear waivers and become a free agent after 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
If that does happen, ESPN reported Monday that Stoudemire is "leaning toward" signing with the Mavericks. Dallas has enough cap space to offer Stoudemire the veteran minimum, which he seems likely to take in exchange for the chance to suit up for a playoff-contending team.
While Dallas seems the likely candidate to land Stoudemire as a reserve, signing him became even more imperative when O'Neal indicated Monday he might not return this season.
Per O'Neal's Instagram:
"Every team that wanted me to sign are all championship contending teams and in order to except their offer (I) need to be 100% ready to go physically and mentally from the time that I sign that contract with no room for error beyond that point. I don't feel like I'm at that position now with just 7 weeks of training and I'm not comfortable making that commitment at this point. The issue for me is timing and things feeling right. I'm a true believer of signs and listening and understanding life."
Stoudemire's other suitors reportedly include the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs.
