The last time the Knicks struck out on the No. 1 free-agent, they turned to Amar’e Stoudemire.
Nine years later and in a similar position, they may be interested in round two.
The Knicks will be among 12 teams watching Stoudemire and Monta Ellis try to resurrect their careers Monday night in Las Vegas, according to Yahoo. The Lakers, Thunder, Bucks, Pistons and Wizards — already in the Sin City for the NBA Summer League — will also be in attendance.
It’s unclear if the Knicks are focused on the 37-year-old Stoudemire, 33-year-old Ellis or both.
Ellis last played in 2017 for the Pacers. Stoudemire hasn’t played in the league since a 52-game stint with the Heat in 2016, but has hinted at attempting a long-shot comeback for more than a year. These days, Stoudemire is playing in the semi-competitive Big3 league, which houses some former NBA players.
Bad knees ended up derailing the six-time All-Star career, and it’s unclear what he’d have to offer teams and likely lottery-bound Knicks, who missed out on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this summer like they did LeBron James in 2010.
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The Knicks ended up with Stoudemire then, and the forward helped lead the club into its last run of playoff appearances.
“The Knicks are back!’ he famously exclaimed after signing that five-year $99.7 million contract.
Nearly a decade later — for a hefty paycut — he could be back, too.