Amare Stoudemire, Knicks agree to contract buyout

It was believed that the New York Knicks were going to shut down Carmelo Anthony after the All Star Game, and while that could still very well happen, that report isn’t the only newsworthy topic right now regarding the Knicks.

More from NBA

• Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
• 3 reasons the Blazers should trade Damian Lillard to the Heat and 2 reasons they shouldn’t
• LeBron James, Giannis, Damian Lillard all want that Mbappé money
• Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
• NBA rumors: Pistons determined to trade Killian Hayes

It has been rumored for weeks now that Amare Stoudemire’s contract was going to be bought out around the All Star Weekend. However, that news became official just minutes after the All Star Game.

According to RealGM.com, the Knicks and Stoudemire have agreed upon a buyout that will make him a free agent.

Sometimes, players do not want to be bought out, but given the nature of the Knicks and how putrid they have been in the 2014 season, it was then reported that even Stoudemire’s representatives wanted a buyout.

A few seasons ago, signing Stoudemire seemed like the right move as he was playing the best basketball of his career.

However, since the 2010-2011 season, Stoudemire’s play has fallen off tremendously. In his first season with the Knicks before Carmelo Anthony was on the team, Stoudemire averaged 25 points and eight rebounds per game. However in 2011, when Anthony got his feet wet in New York, Stoudemire’s numbers dipped to 17 points and eight rebounds per game.

Granted his knee injuries have taken a toll on his body, but it just goes to show Stoudemire could really never accept the No. 2 role on this team. This contract just goes to show how wrong the Knicks were and how poorly their decision-making was. In the last year of his deal, Stoudemire will make $23,410,988 by the end of the 2015 season. That being said, the Knicks will be paying Stoudemire $8,538,125 to play for another team for the remainder of the 2015 season.

Sometimes in sports, players get cut and go to a better team.

This happened in football when the New England Patriots signed LeGarrette Blount after he was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots would go on to win the Super Bowl and a big reason why was because of Blount and their running game. Sure that’s football, but it happens in all sports.

Many playoff teams are in need of a rotational big man and although he is not the player he once was, Stoudemire can still make a difference if he is in the right role. In the next week, Stoudemire will be on a team that will likely have aspirations to make a deep playoff run. That’s basically a complete 180 considering the Knicks have just 10 wins at the All Star break. By buying out Stoudemire, the Knicks are complete losers and Stoudemire is a winner, flying with colors.

More from FanSided

• Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
• Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
• Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
• Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
• MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle