Amare Stoudemire is not interested in playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, reports The News-Herald. The Cavaliers have since gone in another direction as they seek to upgrade their team in advance of Thursday's trading deadline.
Earlier reports said that Stoudemire, an impending free agent, was on the verge of joining LeBron James in Cleveland for power forward J.J. Hickson and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Now, it is thought Stoudemire isn't too keen on playing with Cavs center Shaquille O'Neal, his former teammate in Phoenix. Stoudemire would demand a contract extension in order to join the Cavaliers and is seeking a three-year, $60 million extension wherever he lands.
Cleveland has reportedly turned their attention to Wizards forward Antawn Jamison or Pacers forward/center Troy Murphy, with a deal apparently in place already for the latter.
The Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are known to be hot on the trail for the 6-foot-9 Stoudemire, with the Suns asking for 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala.
