The New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers could pull off a trade involving All-Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire before trade deadline next season, according to Basketball Insiders writer Steve Kyler.
According to sources, the Knicks have been trying to get rid of Stoudemire and his $23 million expiring contract all summer long. Carmelo Anthony re-signed with the Knicks on a lucrative $124 million deal over five years, putting the franchise way above the salary cap threshold.
Kyler believed the Sixers, the only team capable of absorbing Stoudemire's huge expiring deal without getting over the salary cap, can be that perfect trade partner for the Knicks for some financial reasons.
"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 stated during the chat session.
"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."
Although the rebuilding Sixers haven't been vocal in their pursuit of Stoudemire, Kyler believed general manager Sam Hinkie is just waiting for the perfect timing to hammer down a trade. And Kyler thinks the deal is going to happen in the 11th hour of February's trade deadline.
"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."
After drafting an injured Joel Embiid with the third overall pick and Dario Saric with still a year of European league seasoning, the Sixers are pretty much set to tank again next season.
The departure of Thaddeus Young is a big blow to the team in terms of keeping them competitive throughout the 82-game season, but acquiring Stoudimire would offset this void and give the young Sixers big men (Nerlens Noel and Embiid) a mentor on and off the bench.
The 31-year old Stoudemire averaged 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in a backup role for the Knickerbockers.
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