The Dallas Mavericks made another key mid-season addition to their roster in an effort to get back to The Finals, as the team announced that they have signed free agent center-forward Amar’e Stoudemire. The Mavericks previously acquired Rajon Rondo this season as well.
“I’m excited to be a part of a first-class organization,” Stoudemire said. “To play alongside Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and other great players, I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for me to compete for a championship.”
In a cost-cutting and rebuilding move, Stoudemire was waived by the Knicks on February 16 and cleared waivers before the Mavericks signed him as a free agent.
What he will bring to Dallas is valuable frontcourt depth behind Chandler and Nowitzki, as Stoudemire is capable of playing minutes at either the 4 or the 5. He previously played with Chandler in New York.
The question with Stoudemire is always injuries, but when healthy he can still score, as he is great in the screen-roll with his ability to finish around the rim or step outside and hit a jump shot.
Stoudemire (6-10, 245) was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Despite declaring for the NBA Draft right out of Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, he went on to win the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Stoudemire played for the Suns for eight seasons before signing with the New York Knicks in 2010.
A six-time NBA All-Star, Stoudemire holds career averages of 20.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 32.6 minutes in 771 career games (659 starts) with Phoenix and New York. He was named All-NBA First Team in 2007 and has been named All-NBA Second Team an additional four times.
Stoudemire will wear No. 1.
In other Mavericks news, the team also announced that they have requested waivers on guard Ricky Ledo.
Ledo (6-7, 200) appeared in 16 career games with Dallas and averaged 1.3 points in 2.8 minutes.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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