Report: Amar'e Stoudemire declines option, will return to Knicks

Amar'e Stoudemire is set to make $23.4 million next season if he returns to the Knicks (Wilfredo Lee/AP) Amar'e Stoudemire will decline the early termination

Amar'e Stoudemire is set to make $23.4 million next season if he returns to the Knicks (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

Amar'e Stoudemire will decline the early termination option in his contract and return to the New York Knicks, reports Comcast Sportsnet's Chris Haynes.

Like Carmelo Anthony, Stoudemire has the option to opt out of his five-year, $100 million contract and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. By opting in, the Knicks center stands to earn $23.4 million.

Stoudemire recently spoke about his goals for the 2014-15 season, telling the New York Post that he wants "to get back to that level [of] just three short years ago" when he was averaging 25.3 PPG.

“For sure, my goal is to return to the All-Star Game and compete or a championship in the postseason.’’

Stoudemire averaged a career-low 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game with the Knicks last year.

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