Amar’e Stoudemire Believed to Be ‘Close’ to Signing With Miami Heat

He’s been a part of all three of Miami’s title seasons, and Heat President Pat Riley in a statement released Friday says Wade “will lead us as we look to win another National Basteball Association championship”.

Not everyone has a deal lined up for them, as ex- Suns, Knicks and Mavericks forward Amar’e Stoudemire is among the veterans without a prepared deal waiting for him as the free agency moratorium lifts. The big man has suffered numerous injuries over the past few seasons, however, forcing Miami to place a limit on the amount of minutes he receives should they opt to ink him to a contract.

While many feel Stoudemire’s “defense” should forever be typed in quotes, the 32-year-old can still score the ball at an efficient rate, especially around the rim.

Check here for more on Crawford and the interest from the Cavaliers and Miami Heat and for the interest on Stoudemire from Miami.

The addition of the 6-10 Stoudemire could be the precursor to a trade involving Chris Andersen or Josh McRoberts. The team is likely to make at least one move with those players. In his last full season with the Knicks, Stoudemire averaged just 11.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG.

Stoudemire, a six-time National Basteball Association All-Star and five time All-NBA selection, has averaged 19.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.28 blocks and 32.1 minutes in 794 National Basteball Association games (660 starts) while shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 76.1 percent from the foul line in a distinguished 13-year career.

An National Basteball Association official also told the Sun Sentinel that Stoudemire and Free agent guard Marcus Thornton also remain in play for the Heat in free agency. The team has already brought in Gerald Green.