As we noted Monday, the Suns are meeting with Amare Stoudemire on Tuesday in what appears to be a final effort to retain his services. The Suns are unlikely to be willing to shell out a max deal for Stoudemire, and that?s why he's likely headed for free agency and a new team. According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, the Suns' concerns over a max deal not without merit. "But even a willingness to pay him maximum salaries is not enough, because the Suns do not want to commit to him for the maximum six years, a deal that would pay him more than $130 million but can't be insured because of his knee and eye history,? Coro wrote. ?The Suns saw MRI exams on his knees recently and remain concerned. [Stoudemire?s agent Happy] Walters said they were the same as last year." It's possible other teams may have reservations about offering a full max deal to Stoudemire because of his injury history as well. But in a summer where several teams can offer such a deal, Stoudemire does stand a fair chance of getting one, even with such concerns. Source: Arizona Republic
