Source: Amare Doesn't Want To Play In Cleveland

[KingLeBronJames]

Many around the league are holding their breath until the Amar'e Stoudemire trade to the Cavaliers is announced.

But there could be one major road block.

A source said the five-time All-Star center let it be known that he does not want to come to Cleveland.

The Cavs have reportedly been informed of that news and have gone in another direction.

They had reportedly offered center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, promising young power forward J.J. Hickson and another player to the Suns for Stoudemire.

The source said judging from the changing winds of the NBA, it's not totally out of the question that the Cavs could still make a deal for Stoudemire.

But the 6-foot-10, 249-pound Stoudemire has little desire of joining LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal on the Cavs, even if it meant bringing home an NBA championship.

One thing that could change Stoudemire's thought process, the source said, would be if the Cavs offered a contract extension. Stoudemire is supposedly seeking a three-year, $60 million extension.

He will earn $16.4 million this season and has a player option on his 2010-11 contract worth $17.7 million.

Reportedly, Stoudemire didn't mesh with O'Neal last year in Phoenix.

The Cavs might be targeting Wizards forward Antawn Jamison or Pacers forward/center Troy Murphy. Both are "stretch 4s" who can shoot from the perimeter and open up the paint for O'Neal and for James to slash to the basket.

Jamison, 33, has almost $28 million on his contract after this season.

The Cavs aren't the only team pursuing the 6-9, 230-pounder, either, as Miami has joined the fray.

Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters, told ESPN that he hadn't discussed a possible deal with the Cavs as of Monday morning.

Since Stoudemire owns a house in the Miami area, some think he eventually wants to play for the Heat.

Miami and Philadelphia, and possibly a few other teams, are making serious offers to the Suns for Stoudemire. The Suns would love to add 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala, a former college star at the University of Arizona, and still very popular in the state.

Heat owner Micky Arison said he wouldn't part with forward Michael Beasley in any deal. The Heat are trying to entice the Suns with center Jermaine O'Neal's bloated $23 million expiring contract. So far, it hasn't worked.

The Los Angeles Times reported that if the Stoudemire talks break down, the Cavs have a deal in place for Murphy.

Ilgauskas has a 15-percent trade kicker on his $11.5 million expiring contract. The Cavs would have had to add another player in a deal for Stoudemire because the contracts of Ilgauskas and Hickson came up $65,000 short. Someone such as Danny Green or Darnell Jackson would have to be included.

The 7-3 Ilgauskas would have to be paid about $1.7 million if he's traded. It would have to be paid by the team acquiring him, not the Cavs. The Cavs, though, could include cash in the deal.

Stoudemire also has a trade kicker, but since he's already making the league maximum, he's not eligible to receive it.

Some think if the Cavs make the deal, they'd want to sign Stoudemire to a contract extension by the June 30 deadline.

Another option would be to allow him to become a free agent and use him in a sign-and-trade. The Cavs could get a $15 million trade exception in such a deal.

There was also talk of a three-way trade between the Cavs, Sixers and Suns.

TNT analyst Charles Barkley said it would be frightening for the Cavs to add Stoudemire.

"That would be scary to have Amar'e on one wing and LeBron (James) on the other wing," he said. "All these trades are designed to do one thing, and that is to beat the Lakers."

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/.../nh2098390.txt

Does Amare hate Shaq too? That's why he doesn't wanna play in Cleveland?

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

[sergiorodriguez]

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/.../nh2098390.txt

Does Amare hate Shaq too? That's why he doesn't wanna play in Cleveland?

Yes, Amare had trouble playing with shaq all of last year and made many complaints to the media.

Cavs homers, who admittedly didn't even watch a single suns game last year, will tell you this is myth.

[Kingsfans818]

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/.../nh2098390.txt

Does Amare hate Shaq too? That's why he doesn't wanna play in Cleveland?

id rather see Jamison @ Cleveland...

Amare complains and cries too much

we also have Andy @ the 4 and he gets a lot of minutes and is a key defensive player so IDK how Amare will like the idea of sharing minutes with him...

[Wally450]

So what bigs would come off the bench besides Verajao?

[GOBB]

Another Clevland/Amare thread? Mods please merge. Thanks.

[wagexslave]

Amare doesn't hate Shaq. Maybe he knows what a scumhole Clevland is as a city?

[blackification]

BS article probably for hits why would amare say he likes shaq/lebron and woudn't mind playing with them and today say he won't? Plus notice there are no direct quotes from amare only a "source". The source is probably the guy talking to himself.

[beasted86]

The hype and gossip behind this Amare to Cleveland scenario has officially surpassed the Odom back to Miami scenario!

Cheers everybody, let's celebrate!

[omarnyc]

why do people keep saying amare and shaq hate each other? i only heard them say good things about each other, even after shaq left. i really cant believe amare would not wanna go play with lebron and the chance to get to the finals.

[PleezeBelieve]

This article is trash from a non-credible source.

So according to this article, Cavs rather pay a 34-year old Jamison 28 mill over the next two years instead of paying Amare 60 mill over three years.

Sure, bud.

[TMacYaoRockets]

why do people keep saying amare and shaq hate each other? i only heard them say good things about each other, even after shaq left. i really cant believe amare would not wanna go play with lebron and the chance to get to the finals.

I guess Amare would rather play side by side with his idol, Kobe instead.

[1~Gibson~1]

The source said judging from the changing winds of the NBA, it's not totally out of the question that the Cavs could still make a deal for Stoudemire.

But the 6-foot-10, 249-pound Stoudemire has little desire of joining LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal on the Cavs, even if it meant bringing home an NBA championship.

One thing that could change Stoudemire's thought process, the source said, would be if the Cavs offered a contract extension. Stoudemire is supposedly seeking a three-year, $60 million extension.

He will earn $16.4 million this season and has a player option on his 2010-11 contract worth $17.7 million.

we're forgetting about this part. im almost positive that Cleveland wouldnt mind signing Amare to an extension. this way you'll at least have one super-ish star from the 2010 free agency. that's just my opinion though

[ronnymac]

I guess Amare would rather play side by side with his idol, Kobe instead.

Another RG account?

[BFRESH44]

That boy STAT just wants to play close to home. Can you blame him?