Heat sign former NBA All-Star forward Amar’e Stoudemire to one-year deal

Free-agent center/forward Amar’e Stoudemire signed a contract with the Miami Heat on Friday, the team announced.

The Heat did not announce the terms of the deal, but the Sun Sentinelreported Stoudemire signed for the one-year, veteran-minimum salary. Having played 13 NBA seasons, Stoudemire will make $1.5 million and his salary cap hit will be less than $1 million.

Stoudemire, 32, was born in Lake Wales, Fla., and resides in South Florida. He spent more than three seasons with the New York Knicks until his contract was bought in February and he signed with the Dallas Mavericks. Over 59 games with both teams, Stoudemire averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.1 minutes.

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A six-time All-Star, Stoudemire has averaged 19.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game over 13 NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Knicks and Mavericks. The Suns drafted Stoudemire ninth in the 2002 NBA draft and he became the first player in NBA history drafted out of high school to win the Rookie of the Year award.

“We are very fortunate that a proven All-Star like Amar’e has chosen the Miami Heat,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a release. “He is going to bring gravitas, leadership and a hardworking mentality to our team as we look to win another championship in Miami.”

- Mike Fiammetta