Stoudemire looks for home away from Phoenix

Amare Stoudemire is out of Phoenix and headed to New York – for a meeting.

If the Knicks are willing to give him a maximum salary contract, a deal might not be far behind.

Speaking of meetings, Dwyane Wade had a second one with the Chicago Bulls on Friday, perhaps a sign that his return to Miami isn’t as guaranteed as once thought.

Paul Pierce agreed to stick around in Boston and the Mavericks let Dirk Nowitzki know how much they want him to remain in Dallas, but many of the leading names in the free agency class are still available.

Though the focus has been on LeBron James, Wade and Chris Bosh, Stoudemire might land big bucks before them.

When the Suns gave long-term deals to Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick, it became clear that Stoudemire was on his way out of Phoenix. His agent, Happy Walters, confirmed that the Suns were no longer in the picture and said Stoudemire was going to New York this weekend to meet with the Knicks “but we’re talking to other teams as well.”

Walters said no matter where Stoudemire signs, it will be for the maximum of five years and about $100 million.

The Knicks might be willing to spend that if they feel they’ll fall short in pitches they made to James on Thursday, and Wade and Bosh on Friday.

James received visits Friday from the Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. The Heat have also spoken to Stoudemire and Bosh as they try to find a player or players to come join Wade – if he sticks around South Florida.

Wade has long said his preference was to stay in Miami, but he’s given himself options. He met with the Bulls and New Jersey Nets on Thursday, then got a pitch from the Knicks on Friday.

“It was a good meeting, it was a real good meeting and I will say I’m intrigued,” he said, declining further comment before driving away.

Then he sat down again with the Bulls, his hometown team which has been considered a favorite to land James.

The Celtics’ four-year contract with Pierce was not announced, but it was confirmed to The Associated Press by a Boston official familiar with the deal.

The Boston Herald said Pierce would get $61 million over four years, with a mutual option for the fourth year. Milwaukee agreed in principle to a $40 million, five-year deal with free-agent guard John Salmons, a person familiar with the negotiations told The AP.