Amar'e Stoudemire not ruling out NBA return
Amar'e Stoudemire is considering all options pertaining to his immediate future in basketball after capturing a championship with Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Basketball League.
"To play and win a championship my first year there, I could just call it quits and leave as a champion," Stoudemire told The New York Post's Marc Berman on Monday. "That could be an option. Another option is maybe to play with a team that needs quality veteran leadership here in the NBA. That could be an option. Or I could go back and defend the title for a back-to-back. I have time to think about it. Those are my three options."
Stoudemire, now 34 years old, announced his retirement from the NBA during the summer of 2016 after signing a one-day contract with the New York Knicks - a franchise he had spent five prior seasons competing for.
Should he return to the United States to continue playing the game he loves, a reunion of sorts in The Big Apple wouldn't necessarily be out of the question.
"Sure, I haven’t spoken to them (Knicks) yet about it, but that definitely could be an option," he added. "I have nothing but positive affirmations about the team and organization. That will be something I can think about.
"I’ve followed New York, always pulling for the Knicks to have success. I’ve been hearing the stories (about Carmelo Anthony). I’m always rooting for the Knicks and Carmelo as well to have success. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case this year. I do have positive energy toward the team, and soon they’ll start succeeding."
Stoudemire came off the bench for Hapoel, averaging 9.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. League rules dictated that at least two Israelis had to be in the starting lineup, and with other talented Americans on the roster, the decision was made for the six-time NBA All-Star to serve as the sixth man.
He scored six points and grabbed seven boards in the title-clinching 83-76 victory over Maccabi Haifa.
Stoudemire began his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns from 2002 through 2010 before making his way to New York. He also had short stints with the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.