Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks reach buyout

The Amar'e Stoudemire era is over in New York. The veteran forward has agreed to a buyout with the Knicks and will become a free agent if he clears waivers, according to Frank Isola.

Stoudemire signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Knicks in the summer of 2010, but injuries and a poor support cast plagued his time in New York. With the Knicks owning the worst record in basketball at the All-Star break, Stoudemire will now be free to potentially sign with a contender ahead of the playoffs.

The 32-year-old Stoudemire is averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on 54.3 percent shooting from the field this season while playing 24 minutes per game.

The Knicks reached the playoffs three times with Stoudemire. He was terrific in his debut season in New York, averaging 25.3 points per game in 2010-11. Stoudemire's stay as the face of the franchise was short-lived -- the Knicks would acquire Carmelo Anthony before the trade deadline in 2011.

The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly the front-runners to sign Stoudemire. The Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns are also rumored to be interested.