The rumoured trade between Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks involving power forward Amare Stoudemire could likely happen before the trade deadline next season, according to veteran NBA analyst Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
In his latest column on Basketball Insiders, Kyler pointed out that absorbing Stoudemire's hefty expiring paycheck makes sense for the Sixers since they are under the minimum payroll. Failing to reach the minimum before the end of the season would require the Sixers to pay their players the remaining cash.
"What's far more likely is that the long rumored Amar'e Stoudemire to Philadelphia deal gets done at the deadline. The Sixers take on Stoudemire's $23 million salary cap number, which pushes them way over the minimum," Kyler pointed out.
"They would only owe him roughly 30 percent of his remaining contract, so they'd end up paying him $7 million in cash and likely extract a draft pick or a rookie scale player for their troubles."
"Flexibility in the NBA is currency - both figuratively and literally. The 76ers will likely meet the floor; they just are not incentivized in any way to do it before the trade deadline."
Stoudemire playing in his final year of his lucrative deal he signed in 2010 is another reason why the Sixers should gamble on the former All-Star player. After rough two seasons with the Knicks, Amar'e is looking to pile up big stats next season as he looks for another relevant contract next summer.
The 31-year old Stoudemire averaged 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in limited minutes last season with the Knicks, as injuries continued to be an issue for him. When healthy, Stoudemire can put up at least 20 points and 8 rebounds per game - something Sixers would need following the departure of Thaddeus Young, who was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team that sent Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday.
To get the deal done, the Knicks have to include another asset, such as a draft pick or a young talent (Iman Shumpert), in a trade package to the Sixers. The Knicks will unload $23 million in salary space, putting them in position to add more talent in the summer of 2015.
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