Short answer: Probably not.
Forward/center Amar’e Stoudemire and the Knicks have reportedly reached a buyout agreement. Assuming no team claims Stoudemire, which they won’t because they’d owe him the prorated portion of his $23.4 million salary, he will clear waivers on Wednesday and become a free agent.
Stoudemire wants to join a playoff contender and the Mavericks, Clippers and Suns are interested in signing him, according to reports. ESPN rules out the Warriors, Grizzlies, Blazers and Cavaliers.
The Hawks don’t have a lot of glaring weaknesses but, relatively speaking, they include rebounding, post scoring and rim protection. Even at 32-years old and with a history of knee problems, Stoudemire likely still can help with all of those areas in a limited role.
The Hawks rank 30th in offensive rebounding percentage and 21st in defensive rebounding percentage. Stoudemire's defensive and offensive rebounding percentages in 865 minutes this season are better than all Hawks regulars, as are his rebounds per 100 possessions. Stoudemire's rebounding production this season is above his career norm so some drop off is to be expected but clearly he's still effective.
The Hawks rank 12th in the percentage of their field-goal attempts from within three feet of the basket (29.6) and are tied for 11th in shooting percentage from that range (62.8). This season Stoudemire has taken 55.3 percent of his shots from within three feet of the basket, a higher rate than all but his rookie season, and this year he's has made 66.9 percent from that distance, which is right at his career average.
The Hawks do a decent job of keeping opponents away from short-range shots, ranking 15th in the percentage of opponent field-goal attempts from within three feet, but aren't providing much resistance once foes get to the basket--their opponents shooting percentage of 61.1 percent from within three feet is tied for ninth-worse in the league.
Stoudemire would be a nice piece for the Hawks to have on their bench. He does more to shore up their weaknesses and plays bigger than Pero Antic, Elton Brand and Mike Scott.
But Stoudemire doesn’t fit the space-share-shoot blueprint that has worked so well for the Hawks this season. Stoudemire once was a pretty good mid-range shooter but doesn’t even bother taking many shots from that distance anymore. And while Stoudemire still can defend the rim effectively, he’s never been a good team defender, not even when his legs were fresher and healthier.
The Hawks appear more inclined to add to their strengths with Ray Allen, who obviously fits their offense. Allen showed in Boston and Miami that he can be an adequate defender in a structured system while sharing the court with better defenders.
Better for the Hawks to add a player who can make them even better at what they already do well than Stoudemire, who might fill some holes but doesn’t fit the many things they do well.
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