Amar’e Stoudemire Will Play In Dallas This Season

After being released following a disappointing five-year stint with the New York Knicks, Amar’e Stoudemire had a chance to return to the desert and help Phoenix win a championship.  Despite having ripped the heart out of Suns fans, they were willing to welcome him back with open arms especially if that meant keeping him from signing with one of their playoff competitors.

But fond memories and a chance to bring another NBA championship to Phoenix weren’t good enough for Stoudemire who apparently thinks he has a better chance to win in Dallas.  According to a report by ESPN, Stoudemire has “committed” to signing with the Dallas once he clears waivers with the Knicks. If the Suns were planning on Stoudemire to help solve their problems in the paint, they better start drawing up plan B.

"Dallas was attractive to Stoudmire in part because of a pick-and-roll-intensive offense that plays to his strengths. The Mavs also have a highly respected medical staff, led by Team USA athletic trainer Casey Smith, that will maximize Stoudemire’s chances of staying healthy for the stretch run and playoffs while dealing with chronic knee problems."

According to the story, Stoudemire will come off the bench behind the Mavericks behind Tyson Chandler.

Before fans start getting offended by Amar’e Stoudemires choice to play for Dallas consider this.  Stoudemire’s choice to join the Mavericks is about one thing…winning a championship. If he thought his best chance was in Phoenix then he would be signing with the Suns. It is that point that fans should be concerned with.

This could be panic time for the Suns front office who knows they must fix the talent imbalance created by their three-headed monster in the back-court.  Amar’e Stoudemire offered a reasonable solution to the problem without navigating the logistics of pulling off a trade.  Now the Suns must go back to the drawing board and find a trade partner before time runs out.