A bigger team beat Phoenix to an extension with Amar? Stoudemire - team Nike.

Stoudemire is closing in on signing a contract extension with the Suns next week, but he finished an extension deal with the world's athletic shoe giant. Stoudemire signed a six-year extension with Nike this month.

The new deal, which takes effect Oct. 1, eventually will include a signature shoe, but Stoudemire will pitch the Nike Force model for now. Financial terms were not disclosed, but it is believed to be the largest shoe deal an NBA big man has received.

"That's huge," Stoudemire said. "It's something I always dreamed of. It was one of my goals to sign and be with an elite company. I'm looking forward to selling apparel and product and make both parties happy.

"It's mainly the respect level from the company to believe I can sell apparel and give me a signature shoe. Having a signature shoe is great. Kids can say, 'I want to get the Amar? Stoudemire shoe.' That makes me feel real blessed."