New York Knicks to Give Amare Stoudemire Reduced Role Next Season
By Chris Roling
The New York Knicks went out and obtained Andrea Bargnani via trade, meaning the franchise now has the green light to limit just how often star forward Amare Stoudemire is on the court next season.
Stoudemire has been battling a wealth of injuries as of late so it makes sense the team went out and found a well to spell him to save his legs for the long run. After all, Stoudemire is going to cost the team over $21 million next year.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post Stoudemire will be limited to about 20 minutes a game next season:
"With 7-foot power forward Andrea Bargnani officially coming aboard July 10, the Knicks have had renewed discussions on a stricter minutes restriction next season for Amar’e Stoudemire, according to his agent, Happy Walters.The idea of a 20-minute nightly maximum with a prohibition on playing both ends of back-to-backs has been one of the ideas that has been discussed."
The Knicks are right to take a cautious approach to their hefty investment. Stoudemire had two knee surgeries last season and is already looking over-the-hill at the age of 30.
New York has plans to contend for a championship next year. Stoudemire is a big part of those plans, albeit in a much reduced role so that he holds up for the duration of the journey.
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