NEW YORK — Amare Stoudemire has agreed to join the New York Knicks.
The Knicks said Monday they intend to sign Stoudemire to a contract later this week when the free agent moratorium period ends.
Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters, says the deal is for the maximum allowed. The Knicks can pay Stoudemire nearly $100 million over five years.
It was a desperately needed score in free agency for the Knicks, who spent two seasons clearing enough salary cap space to afford two top players. They spoke to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh last week and believe they could still land one of them.