Amar'e Stoudemire had hoped to return to the Phoenix Suns to finish his career.

Stoudemire retired from the NBA by signing a one-day ceremonial contract with the the New York Knicks. Stoudemire signed with the Knicks in free agency in 2010 and then played for the Mavericks in 2015 and Heat in 15-16 after being bought out.

“The last two years, we made phone calls to Phoenix but I wasn’t getting any positive response,” Stoudemire said on Thursday. “That would’ve been the perfect way to go out. I didn’t want to beg Phoenix. My heart was in two places – Phoenix and New York. I just went where I was wanted.”

The Suns added Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss at power forward in the draft and then signed Jared Dudley.

“They brought back Jared and Leandro, my boys,” Stoudemire said. “That would’ve been a heck of a way to finish. I wasn’t just going to keep knocking on someone’s door that wasn’t going to answer.

“I love my fans in Phoenix. Most of my high times and highlights were in Phoenix. I put forth the effort to finish my career in Phoenix but it wasn’t well-received.”

Stoudemire hasn't ruled out playing overseas.

The Phoenix Suns have announced Earl Watson’s coaching staff, naming Jay Triano associate head coach, Tyrone Corbin and Nate Bjorkgren assistant coaches, Marlon Garnett assistant coach/player development coordinator, and Scott Duncan and Jason Fraser player development coaches.

“As a family we are excited with the additions we have made into our program,” said Watson. “Each coach possesses a unique passion to teach, and the chemistry of our staff is as important as the structure of our roster. We are very lucky to have this creative group assembled.”

Triano comes to the Suns following four seasons as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers including in Watson’s final season as a player in 2013-14. Formerly the head coach of the Toronto Raptors from 2008-11, Triano was the first Canadian-born head coach in NBA history. Prior to his three seasons as head coach of the Raptors, he was an assistant coach with the team for six seasons from 2002-08.

Leandro Barbosa has agreed to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the Phoenix Suns. The second season of Barbosa's contract will be a team option.

Barbosa spent the past two seasons in a key bench role with the Golden State Warriors. Golden State could only offer the veteran's minimum to sign Barbosa.

Barbosa began his NBA career with the Suns.

Jared Dudley has agreed upon a three-year, $30 million deal with the Phoenix Suns.

Dudley previously played for the Suns from 2008 until 2013. Dudley then did one-year stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.