Amar’e Stoudemire is Exactly What the Mavericks Need

The Dallas Mavericks aren’t done making moves after the Rajon Rondo trade. Not even close. We’ve already known that the Mavs have been linked to Jermaine O’Neal since Brandan Wright was traded, and seem confident in signing him if he does indeed decide to return to the NBA. However, reports now suggest that the Mavs are also interested in former all-star big man Amar’e Stoudemire.

Stoudemire, who is putting up solid numbers averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds, is considering reaching a buyout agreement with the New York Knicks and will think about it over the All-Star break. If this does happen, the Mavs, who are in desperate need of some frontcourt help, are considered the favorites to sign the 6’11 big man.

Stoudemire would likely want to play with a championship contender where he would get a good number of minutes, and Dallas seems like the prefect fit. Tyson Chandler has been the Mavs’ only consistent rebounder and defender. With Amar’e in the mix, the Mavs would finally have some depth at center or even power forward to back up Dirk. Not only would Stoudemire give a rebounding presence, but he can be a consistent scorer as well. He’s a strong, tough player who can shoot from mid-range and be a big body down low to frustrate other teams, especially teams in the west like Memphis and Golden State.

The down side with Stoudemire, as has been his entire career, is that he has been marred with injuries. He is not even close to the player he was in Phoenix and his first year in New York, and the injury problems have never gone away for Amar’e. Staying healthy will be a huge obstacle for him, but if any training staff can get him to be consistently healthy, it’s the Mavericks’ training staff.

February 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) celebrates after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

For proof of that, look no further than Tyson Chandler. Before he came to Dallas in 2011, he was plagued with injuries. After coming to Big D, Chandler had the healthiest season of his career. And again this year, Chandler has, for the most part, not had to worry about any injuries even though he was consistently hurt with the Knicks the past three years. The credit for that has to go the Mavericks training staff.

Now, I know Tyson and Amar’e didn’t work out very well in New York together, but in Dallas, they obviously wouldn’t be starting together because of the Big German and I doubt they would be on the floor together much anyway. If you add Jermaine O’neal and Stoudemire, then you would be looking at a legitimate front court to finally compete against the powerhouses in the crazy Western Conference.

But both big men need to make big decisions first, and the waiting could hurt the Mavs, who are fifth in the West right now. In the West, that seeding is never safe, and Dallas needs help down low as quick as possible.

Next: Mavericks Need Help No Matter Who It Is

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