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DALLAS -- If he isn't gone before the trade deadline passes next week, forward Amar'e Stoudemire sure sounds ready to leave the Phoenix Suns as a free agent this summer.Stoudemire said it's "50-50 now,'' that the Suns will trade him, knowing they don't want to lose him this summer without being compensated.
"I want to be in a position to contend for a championship. That's the whole goal at this stage of my career,'' he said Friday. "The Phoenix Suns' goal might be a little different.''
Stoudemire was speaking in Dallas at the All-Star Weekend festivities, thrilled to be playing for the fifth time in his career, but disappointed that the Suns are still struggling to hold their playoff position (a precarious 6th in the West).
"I wish I had a crystal ball. I'm not sure how things will play out,'' he said. "But I want to contend for a title -- wherever that may be.''
Stoudemire, 27, is having another good season, averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds. And he also has the option to become a free agent, allowing him to go wherever he feels he can accomplish his goal, which doesn't seem likely in Phoenix.
"A lot of teams out there appreciate my skills, but I'm from Florida. That's my home, that's where my AAU team is. That's where my fan base is,'' he said. "It would be great (to play there).''
Stoudamire does have one year remaining on his contract that will pay him $17.6 million next season. He told Chris Tomasson earlier this month that he was leaning toward not opting out, but his tone was different Friday.
"I want to be where we can win a championship,'' he said. "There are a lot of rumors out there, but when you're playing the game, you just put everything else aside and have fun. That's what I'm doing now.''
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