Person with knowledge of talks tells AP: Stoudemire meets with Knicks, hoping to land max deal

AP source: Stoudemire in meetings with Knicks

NEW YORK — A person with knowledge of the talks says the New York Knicks are meeting with Amare Stoudemire. The All-Star forward is seeking a maximum contract that would reunite him with coach Mike D’Antoni.

Stoudemire arrived in New York on Saturday and the person tells The Associated Press that the free agent was in discussions with team officials Monday afternoon. The person requested anonymity because negotiations were ongoing.

Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walters, said last week there was a “structure of an offer on the table.” Stoudemire can earn about $100 million in a five-year contract from the Knicks.

Stoudemire has spent his entire career in Phoenix, where he played under D’Antoni before the coach came to New York in 2008.

Signs throughout the entrances to Madison Square Garden showed the player pictured in a Knicks uniform and read “Welcome, Amare Stoudemire.”

The Knicks desperately needed to come away with something in free agency after spending most of the last two years clearing enough salary-cap space to sign two maximum-contract players.

They also spoke with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh last week.