Amare Stoudemire has decided to opt out of his contract with the Phoenix Suns and become a free agent. Amare Stoudemire has decided to opt out of his contract with the Phoenix Suns and become a free agent. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Amare Stoudemire has opted out of the final year of his contract with the Phoenix Suns to become part of an illustrious list of free agents this season.

Agent Happy Walters says the five-time all-star power forward made the move Wednesday after talks with Suns owner Robert Sarver failed to result in an agreement on a contract extension.

The last year of Stoudemire's contract was worth about $17 million US.

Walters says the Suns remain in the picture but Stoudemire wants to see what develops on the free agent market.

Stoudemire has been with the Suns since he was drafted out of high school, as the ninth pick overall, in 2002.