NBA Rumors: Amare Stoudemire Commits to the Dallas Mavericks

Amar'e Stoudemire will have a shot at a championship this season after all.

Sources are reporting that the veteran forward has agreed to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Stoudemire cannot make an official verbal commitment until his waivers clear Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET. The waivers are expected to clear with no problems.

For the Mavericks, a healthy Stoudemire adds much-needed frontcourt depth. The Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns reportedly expressed interest in the forward as well.

Stoudemire ended up choosing the Mavericks because they were his best shot at winning a championship, ESPN.com reported. The Mavericks (36-19) are currently ranked fifth in the highly competitive Western conference. The Mavericks like him because his playing style fits in with the team's pick-and-roll intensive offense. The team's medical staff, led by athletic trainer Casey Smith, can also help Stoudemire stay healthy.

"He can make open shots, he has a lot of respect, like Dirk, in his ability to score,'' said a source reported according to the New York Post. "He is great at pick-and-pop, and he is a really good positional rebounder. All things Dallas can use right now.''

With the Mavericks, Stoudemire will most likely play off of the bench. He will back up Tyson Chandler and possibly Dirk Nowitzki.

Stoudemire, whose contract was set to expire by the end of the season, reportedly asked for a buyout. On Monday, the Knicks waived the 32-year-old.

"I feel truly blessed to have been able to play for the incredible New York fans, Mr. Dolan, my coaches, teammates and the entire Knicks organization for the past five years," Stoudemire said in a statement. "I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to contribute positively on the court and in the community. Although I leave the Knicks with a heavy heart, I wish the organization the best of luck. Once a Knick always a Knick."

"His time here should be marked by recognizing his effort. It was 100 percent," Phil Jackson, the Knicks' president of basketball operations, said. "As we move forward in structuring this team, we will look for players that exhibit his desire to win."

All-Star Carmelo Anthony added, "Amar'e brought something back to New York that New York was kind of missing and needing for a long time. When he came, he brought back some of the excitement here for the game of basketball in New York. There was hope when he came back. People started believing in the New York Knicks once again. He was the main reason for that belief and for that hope when he first got here in New York."

Stoudemire joined the Knicks in 2010 and averaged 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 255 games. In his five seasons in New York, he made the playoffs three times. In 2011, he was named an All-Star starter, the first in the franchise's history in 14 years.