Former Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire is planning an NBA comeback, and he wants to make sure he can help both on and off the court.
"Leadership goes a long way with teams in order to get from a playoff team to a contending championship team. ... From that standpoint, I have a lot to offer," Stoudemire said on "MSG 150," via the New York Post's Marc Berman. "And also as a basketball player, I still have a lot of game left. I can help a team in any way they need."
The Knicks were among the teams who attended Stoudemire's workout in Las Vegas on Monday, SNY's Ian Begley confirmed. The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets were also reportedly in attendance.
The 36-year-old Stoudemire, who retired from the NBA in 2016, saw his playing career end with the Knicks midway through the last year of his five-year, $99.7 million contract that he signed in the summer of 2010, largely due to his inability to stay healthy.
He averaged 25.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in his first season with the Knicks, but played no more than 65 games in a season from that point. After the 2010-11 season, he averaged just 11.9 points and 5.5 rebounds. He played 52 games with the Miami Heat in the 2015-16 season before signing a ceremonial contract to retire as a Knick.
But now, Stoudemire said he is down to 235 pounds, "my lowest weight I've ever played at," he said, attributing it to physical therapy and an increased focus on training.
"My body feels amazing, so we'll see if the opportunity becomes a reality," Stoudemire said.