Amar'e Stoudemire to sign with Mavericks, per report

If you're reading this, it's too late for other teams to sign Amar'e Stoudemire. He plans to join the Dallas Mavericks when he clears waivers on Wednesday, according to Shams Charania of Real GM.

Stoudemire and the New York Knicks came to a buyout agreement Sunday. The two sides were rumored to be seeking an amicable arrangement as Stoudemire was sidelined for 16 games dating back to Dec. 20. New York originally signed Stoudemire to a five year, $99.7 million contract in 2010.

After dealing Brandan Wright to acquire Rajon Rondo, the Mavericks depth at center has been a point of concern. Losing Tyson Chandler, who suffered a left ankle sprain against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 9, only exasperated the issue.

The addition of Stoudemire should alleviate some of the concern. Though he is no longer the MVP candidate he once was, STAT should be able to fill in nicely as a reserve. Stoudemire has averaged 24 minutes in 36 games this season. When healthy, the six-time All Star averaged 12 points on 54.3 percent shooting and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Ideally, Stoudemire will produce similar numbers with Dallas. One of the Mavericks' biggest concerns this season is rebounding. While 6.8 rebounds per game may seem modest, Stoudemire will have the second highest rebounding rate on the team behind Chandler. He also has the second highest defensive rebounding percentage of his career at 22.4, best since the 2006-07 season.

Perhaps, though, the biggest benefit of bringing in Stoudemire is his experience with a pick and roll offense. In his prime with the Phoenix Suns, Stoudemire and Steve Nash were the most potent pick and roll duo in the league. Of course, he is no longer in his prime. However, that doesn't mean that he doesn't possess a modicum of his former ability.

Stoudemire is averaging about 1.05 points as the roll man on pick and rolls this season, per Synergy Sports, but one has to think that number could tic up with Dallas' offense and their penetrating guards. He's been more effective in the post -- Stoudemire scores in the 83rd percentile in the league when posting up. As he will likely moonlight as a backup center, or perhaps power forward, this could bode well for the Mavericks' floor spacing.

Adding Stoudemire also gives Dallas the liberty to move on from the possibility of acquiring Jermaine O'Neal, who it seems was never able to fully recover from a knee injury suffered last season.

The Mavericks will have to clear a spot for Stoudemire's arrival, since they're at a full 15-man roster after signing Bernard James to a 10-day contract last week. (James' contract doesn't expire until this Saturday.) James or Greg Smith are the two players likely at risk of being cut to make room.

Amar'e cannot replace the athleticism and efficiency the team lost when it traded Wright. Yet, he will be an upgrade, albeit a 32 year old one with questionable knees, over the likes of Greg Smith and Dwight Powell. Dallas needed to add depth and they have done just that.

*UPDATE*

We now know how much Stoudemire will make when he signs with Dallas. Seems like a great bargain.

Amar'e Stoudemire's looming minimum deal with Dallas will pay him $477,150 ... with a salary-cap number of $301,492

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 17, 2015