LAS VEGAS — Amar’e Stoudemire likes the direction in which his old team is headed.
The former Knicks forward, in attendance for the team’s NBA Summer League game Wednesday night, said he was impressed by what he saw this past season.
“The cohesiveness was beautiful to watch,” the former All-Star told The Post while sitting courtside for the Knicks’ 82-80 overtime win over the Magic. “The team played together. They moved the ball. They enjoyed playing with each other. That was fun to watch as a fan.”
“I thought it was a good run. Definitely a good season. A lot of potential there. Great to see the success [they had].”
There are similarities between where the Knicks are now and where they were during Stoudemire’s first season with the club, in 2010-11.
Those Knicks were young and improving, but that team really wasn’t a title contender.
The Knicks traded several assets in February 2011 to land Carmelo Anthony, who was set to be a free agent after the season.
The Knicks may find themselves in a similar spot soon, the next time a big star becomes available.
There is also talk of them making a trade this offseason to add to their core after they won a playoff series for the first time in more than a decade this past season.
“It’s something the front office will figure out, what they think the right move is,” Stoudemire said. “But from a players’ standpoint, it’s the players’ job to work on their game in the offseason.”
To Stoudemire, the next step for the Knicks, is to build on what they did this past season.
That comes down to internal improvement, not necessarily a big trade.
A key factor in the Knicks’ strong 2022-23 season was the improvement of young players, such as Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes and Mitchell Robinson, along with contributions from more established players, such as Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
“It’s a matter of continuing to always work towards improving your craft. That’s the name of the game,” Stoudemire, 40, said. “It’s about the players being able to develop and get better, and once you do that, things will work out in your favor.”
Stoudemire spent two years with the Nets as a player development assistant coach, but didn’t return this past season.
For now, he’s not interested in coaching.
“I have no will right now to get back into coaching,” Stoudemire said.
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