Amar’e Stoudemire’s name is doing the round in latest NBA rumors.
Bleacher Report said the 6’10”, 240 pound center is not satisfied with his role on the Miami Heat roster. Head coach Erik Spoelstra started using small forward Justise Winslow at the center position after the injury to Hassan Whiteside.
It did not go down well with with Stoudemire. It is learned that the center is planning to leave the franchise via free agency this summer. Considering his age, it remains to be seen if iAmar’e receives a contract from any franchise.
NBA has a genuine lack of players who can play both small forward and center. The name of Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors instantly comes to mind. He is 6’7″, 220 pounds, but plays effectively at both positions.
Justise Winslow is 6’7″, 225 pounds but he is not as talented as Green. Winslow is not as versatile as Green and this is the reason why everyone was shocked when Erik Spoelstra used the rookie at center. But Amar’e was not surprised, as he was quite upset to have been bypassed by his head coach.
Losing to the Toronto Raptors forced Miami Heat to look towards the summer and next season. Whiteside is now a free agent and it is not certain that he will return to the Heat.
If Whiteside leaves, then the center position becomes a priority for Miami. Team president Pat Riley will definitely hunt for a replacement but Stoudemire will not be seen as either a short or long term solution there.