It’s all about the money.
Amar’e Stoudemire threw a verbal bouquet to Phoenix on the last day of his youth basketball camp. But it came with the caveat -- he wants to be paid. The Arizona Republic has the quote.
Stoudemire called signing a contract extension with the Suns this month “Plan A.”
“Camp colors are purple and orange and bloodlines right now are purple and orange, until something changes,” said Stoudemire, who plans to meet teammates Jared Dudley and Earl Clark in Miami for training and vacation.
That something else is money. Stoudemire’s agent Happy Walters met with Suns decision maker Steve Kerr and talked Thursday. Not that there was a lot to talk about. Stoudemire has made it clear: The Suns can offer him a max deal or he is going to opt out for free agency. The deadline is June 30.
The Suns have to make a decision: Spend now and try to win a title before Steve Nash’s back gives out, or let Stoudemire go and try to fashion a different team.
There is no more dangerous play in the NBA than the Nash/Stoudemire pick-and-roll. That and a surprising bench took the Suns to the Western Conference finals. But is that enough for Robert Sarver, an owner not known for going way over the luxury tax?
Stoudemire may love all things Phoenix, but it is about the money. Always. We’ll see what it’s about for the Suns soon.