MANHATTAN — One of the NBA's most coveted free agents, Amar'e Stoudemire, reached a deal with the New York Knicks on Monday, several outlets reported.
Stoudemire became the first big name free agent to sign on the dotted line with a new team when he agreed to a five-year, $99.7 million with the Knicks, ESPN reported. The deal cannot be signed until Thursday.
"The fact that Amare really wanted to come here and stepped up front, it got to the point that we had to acknowledge that," team president Donnie Walsh said. "That means something to us."
The All-Star forward was pictured outside Madison Square Garden earlier in the day after touring the Knicks practice facility in Westchester and meeting with owner James Dolan.
The former Phoenix Suns forward averaged 23.1 points and 8.9 rebounds last season.
Monday's news makes it highly likely that free agent David Lee won't be returning to the Knicks. Lee has been in talks with Minnesota and Golden State.
Stoudemire's signing came a day after Joe Johnson, who'd also been pursued by the Knicks, announced he'd be staying with Atlanta.
Stoudemire's signing leaves New York with enough salary cap space to ensure that they can still sign the most sought after man in basketball, LeBron James. The Knicks are also making a strong pitch to Miami guard Dwyane Wade.
