Amar’e to the Knicks? Bad move…

The long awaited free agency period of 2010 is underway, with a host of top free agents available and a host of teams with enough cap room to sign the likes of Lebron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh. So far in free agency we have seen most stars stay put and sign with their current teams: Paul Pierce stayed in Boston, Dirk remained in Dallas and Rudy Gay inked a massive 5 year, $82 million to remain with the Memphis Grizzlies.

One in-demand free agent is Phoenix Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who is reportedly set to sign a 5 year, $100 million deal with the New York Knicks and be reunited with old coach Mike D’Antoni. The Knicks, who can afford to offer two max contracts, are also in the mix for other elite free agents such as Lebron, Wade and Bosh, who they pitched to last weekend.

Amar’e is one of the best power forwards in the NBA at the moment, but isn’t $20 million a year a lot of money to pay a guy who doesn’t play any D, doesn’t rebound or block shots? Yes it is, but the Knicks are desperate. Since Donnie Walsh took over as President of Basketball Operations two years ago, their goal has been to attract a star in free agency this year, even if it means stinking for two years, it will all be worth it. If they can’t get a Lebron or a Wade (and I don’t think they will), they need to get someone that can appease the fans and give them the hope that they have been lacking for years. But is Stoudemire that guy?

I am a fan of Stoudemire and he can thrive in D’Antoni’s up-tempo system, just like he did in Phoenix. But he isn’t a number one guy and will need another star, as well as a defensive presence in the frontcourt to rebound and block shots, to find success in New York. And with Joe Johnson heading back to Atlanta and Rudy Gay staying in Memphis, what will happen if Lebron and Wade reject them and head elsewhere?

The answer: I don’t think much will change in New York. With a lineup of Amar’e, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and a few rookies, they won’t be setting the Eastern Conference alight. There have been rumours floating around that the Knicks could do a sign and trade with the Warriors and the T-Wolves, where the Knicks get Monta Ellis, the T-Wolves get David Lee and the Warriors get Al Jefferson. This would be a great move for the Knicks, they would get a scoring combo-guard that could be an All-Star in their system and rid themselves of someone (Lee), who they are reportedly not going to sign anyway.

What obviously attracts Stoudemire to New York is the money, considering he turned down a $96 million deal from Phoenix last week. But if he wants to win championships more than a bucketload of money, Amar’e doesn’t go to New York, he hops onto the coatails of wherever Lebron or Wade ends up this offseason.