Amar’e Stoudemire had agreed to play for the New York Knicks starting next season, thereby becoming the first high-profile free agent from the class of 2010 to switch teams.

The Phoenix Suns drafted him 9th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft and immediately made an impact despite jumping straight from high-school to become Rookie of the Year.

He was an NBA All-Star five times and a member of the All-NBA First Team once and Second Team thrice while making heads turn with his powerful dunks playing  eight years for the Suns.

In the 2010 NBA Playoffs, he was excellent in leading his team to the Western Conference Finals before being ousted by eventual NBA Champions LA Lakers in six games.

Stoudemire closed on a five-year, $99.7 million contract with the Knicks after rejecting a final offer from the Phoenix Suns who had concerns over Stoudemire’s past knee and eye injuries

He will be reunited with his former coach, Mike D’Antoni.

The Suns meanwhile had agreed to sign forward Hakim Warrick to 4-year, $18 million deal and center Channing Frye to a 5-year, $30 million deal.

So, with a legitimate big man in Amar’e, will this be enough for Lebron James to sign with the Knicks?

The Summer of Lebron is still long.

=======================================================

UPDATE July 8, 2010: Lebron preferred the Miami Heat over the New York Knicks and other suitors.

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Tags: 2010 nba free agency, 2011 NBA season, amare stoudemire, new york knicks, phoenix suns