NEW YORK — Amar’e Stoudemire is headed to the New York Knicks, and both sides are hoping he’s not coming alone.
The Knicks said Monday they intend to sign Stoudemire to a contract later this week when the free-agent moratorium period ends. Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walters, said the deal is for the maximum allowed, which would be nearly $100 million over five years.
Stoudemire said he looked forward to rebuilding a franchise and bringing the Knicks back to the top — maybe with a player such as LeBron James or Dwyane Wade with him.
“I feel great about being a pioneer and showing my leadership,” he said at Madison Square Garden.
The deal can’t be signed until Thursday, after the salary cap for next season has been set.
It was a desperately needed score in free agency for the Knicks, who spent two seasons clearing enough cap space to afford two top players. They met with James, Wade and Chris Bosh last week and believe they could still land one of them.
Stoudemire has already started recruiting, saying he spoke to James’ people and directly to Wade last week. And the former Phoenix star said he won’t be affected if those players say no to New York.
“Totally comfortable, totally confident that my leadership qualities will uplift all of us to do something great this upcoming season,” Stoudemire said. “So again, the Knicks are back.”
Oilers sign No. 1 draft pick
EDMONTON, Alberta — The Edmonton Oilers signed top overall draft pick Taylor Hall to a three- year, entry-level contract.
Hall’s deal includes the maximum base salary of $900,000 per season and bonuses that max out at $3.75 million annually.
• Retired hockey enforcer Bob Probert, who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks and struggled to overcome drinking problems, has died in Windsor, Ontario. He was 45.
Family friend Rich Rogow says Probert was on a boat in Lake St. Clair with his wife, children and in-laws when he “developed severe chest pains” Monday.
Rogow said Probert’s father- in-law gave him CPR. Probert died at Ontario’s Windsor Regional Medical Center.
Ex-Raiders QB Russell arrested
MOBILE, Ala. — Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell has been charged with possession of a controlled substance — codeine syrup — after being arrested at his home, authorities said.
The 24-year-old former LSU star and the No. 1 draft choice in 2007 was arrested as part of an undercover narcotics investigation, said Mobile County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Lori Myles. She would not say what led to his arrest. She said he did not have a prescription for the codeine.
Footnotes.
Damon Evans resigned as Georgia’s athletic director less than a week after he was arrested on a DUI charge.
• Trainer Blane Schvaneveldt, who won nearly 4,000 races and handled such quarter horse champions as Refrigerator and Dash for Speed, has died. He was 76.
The Associated Press
