We've long thought that Houston was a team who would make a run at Amare given how hard they went after him at the trade deadline and how desperate they seem to bring in another big name front court player to go with Yao Ming.
So it came as no surprised when KTAR tweeted this rumor:
Twitter / John Gambadoro: New developments - Houston ...
New developments - Houston Rockets interested in Amare Stoudemire. Would likely be a sign and trade with Luis Scola and Battier if it hapens
Shane Battier, 32 year old small forward, has about $7.4m left on his contract which expires at the end of next season. Luis Scola is a 30 year old power forward from Argentina. He's a restricted free agent.
To make the numbers work, assuming another player wasn't involved, the Suns would sign Amare and then immediately trade him for Scola who would have to agree to a new contract with the Rockets which would be traded to the Suns along with Battier.
It's a complicated arrangement but could yield the Suns a replacement power forward, albeit one who's not nearly as productive as Amare, along with Battier. Battier has a favorable expiring contract and is generally considered one of the best defensive players in the league and is good friends with fellow Duke grad Grant Hill.
The Suns would surely hesitate sending Amare to a Western Conference foe.
Meanwhile, just hours before free agency official begins Amare tweeted this message which seems an awful lot like a goodbye:
Twitter / Amar'e Stoudemire: I opted out of my contract ...
I opted out of my contract with PHX. Can't wait to see what lies ahead. I had a blast with my teammates last season. What's Next !!
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