He hasn't played in the NBA since the 2015-16 season -- and his most recent success came on the other side of the globe -- but former Phoenix Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire says he's ready for an NBA comeback.
“I still have a lot of game left. I still have a lot of health. And I can help a team in any way they need," the 36-year-old forward told MSG. “Veteran leadership goes a long way with teams in order to get from a playoff team into a contending championship team. From that standpoint, I have a lot to offer."
Stoudemire was selected by the Suns with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. He went on to become NBA Rookie of the Year and a five-time All-Star selection during his eight seasons in the Valley. He later played for the New York Knicks for four and a half seasons and concluded his NBA career with brief stints with the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
In 2017, Stoudemire led Hapoel Jerusalem B.C., a team he co-owned, to the 2017 Israeli Basketball Premier League championship.
Stoudemire reportedly worked out for about a dozen NBA teams earlier this week, although it doesn't sound like the Suns were among those teams. But this isn't the first time he has expressed a desire to make an NBA return. Last year, while playing for Tri-State in the BIG3 basketball league, he said an NBA return was "definitely" in his plans.
