Amar’e Stoudemire took a break from his pregame workout routine to address questions about his future. He said he’s not thinking about it yet, but there’s no question he is and he’s given thoughts to joining the Nets.

Stoudemire knows their situation and his. They have good young players and assets galore, including $23 million to use in free agency. Most players like that.

The Suns' big man is going to be one of the most sought-after free agents this summer. He can score and dunk on anyone, is a defensive nightmare and looks to be all the way back from major surgeries on both knees. If you haven’t already, imagine him playing next to Brook Lopez. That sight has to excite the Nets and their fans.

I’ve gone on record, on YES and in The Record, that Stoudemire should be the player the Nets go after hard this offseason.

Of course, LeBron James should be their first choice, but if the Nets learn they don’t really have a chance at arguably the NBA’s best player, they should turn their attention to a glaring need – power forward.

They have been looking for someone to replace Kenyon Martin since he left in 2004. That man may have been standing on their court last night. Again, imagine Lopez and Stoudemire on the same front line.

Imagine Devin Harris and/or John Wall throwing lobs to either and both men. Imagine how much things open up on the perimeter for the Nets. Then they would have to make sure they get shooters to make teams pay for doubling inside.

Stoudemire scored 15 points to help the Suns to a 116-105 win last night after praising the Nets and their future prospects

“I think this franchise is definitely going to turn things around here soon,” Stoudemire said

Sure, he was being political and saying all the right things. He has been asked these same questions in other cities and from what we hear Stoudemire seems to enjoy holding court the way he did last night.

Bottom line, he’s keeping his options open, which is what all players and coaches should do.

No one appreciates honesty more than me. But so many times you see someone say he would never join this team or never wants to leave that team and then he does.

Mike Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo are saying they don’t want to leave their respective teams for the Nets. They may be telling the truth, but will they feel the same if their teams unexpectedly win the NCAA title and the Nets win the Lottery and owner Mikhail Prokhorov throws mega millions at them? We’ll see.

Stoudemire didn’t say he wanted to stay in Phoenix and didn’t say he wouldn’t come to the Nets. He’s leaving his options open.

He hasn’t officially decided whether he will opt out, but it’s a safe bet he will and the Nets should be on the phone with his agent at 12:01 a.m. July 1.

Stoudemire comes with questions. His health always will be one? Another is whether he can put up the numbers he does and be as effective without Steve Nash as a team. Stoudemire believes he can.

Also, if he’s the Nets big signing he has to come in and be the leader Jason Kidd was when he got to the Nets. Stoudemire would have to lead by example in practice, which is something the Nets will need.

From a physical and talent standpoint, though, Stoudemire has something the Nets need and have missed.

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The Nets avoided NBA history with their tenth win Monday, but they’re closing in on another bad stat.

The loss to the Suns was the Nets’ 65th this season, matching their all-time high from the 1989-90 season. The Nets will break that unless they win their remaining seven games.

If it’s any consolation, the last time they lost 60-plus games they won the NBA Draft Lottery. The Nets want that so they can get Wall, but they can’t go wrong if they end up in the top two. Evan Turner isn’t a bad second choice.

Rookie Terrence Williams matched a season-high with 21 points in the loss.

Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)