Stoudemire out of Suns' picture after 2 other deals

By Bob Baum
July 2, 2010


Phoenix, AZ — A person with knowledge of the situation says Amare Stoudemire’s days with the Phoenix Suns are over after the team reached contract agreements with forward Hakim Warrick and center Channing Frye.

The person told The Associated Press that Warrick agreed to a four-year, $18 million deal on Friday, shortly after Frye agreed to a five-year, $30 million offer to re-sign with Phoenix. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contracts can’t be signed until July 8.

The two agreements mean any deal with Stoudemire would put the Suns far over the amount the franchise is willing to pay. The two sides negotiated for three hours without success Wednesday night just before the deadline for players to become free agents.

Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walters, confirmed that the Suns were no longer in the picture. He said Stoudemire was going to New York this weekend to meet with the Knicks “but we’re talking to other teams as well.”

Walters, who said Stoudemire leaves Phoenix with no ill will, said any new agreement would be for the maximum five years and $99.7 million, regardless of the team.

The agreements with Warrick and Frye first were reported by Yahoo! Sports.

The Suns turned to the 6-foot-9, 219-pound Warrick after it became apparent the Stoudemire talks were at a stalemate, reportedly over the length of the deal.

A former first-round draft pick (19th overall), Warrick has averaged 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in five NBA seasons, the first four with Memphis. He signed with Chicago and appeared in just 28 games for the Bulls before he was traded to Milwaukee, along with Joe Alexander, for John Salmons.

Warrick appeared in 76 games last season, six as a starter for Milwaukee.

The smooth-shooting, 6-foot-11 Frye emerged as a major weapon in Phoenix’s high-scoring offense after he signed a one-year contract with a player option for a second season. Rarely a 3-point shooter in his first four NBA seasons with the New York Knicks and Portland, the slim sharpshooter led the Suns with 173 last season.

The Suns initially offered $25 million but sweetened the deal after Drew Gooden reached agreement on a five-year, $32 million contract with Milwaukee.

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