By MARC BERMAN
The trade deadline is Thursday and the Knicks’ action likely will take place after 3 p.m.
Without an excuse to hold onto Stephon Marbury any longer, the Knicks can accept Marbury’s buyout offer in which he was willing to give back $1 million and drop the appeal on his $400,000 fine. A hearing for the appeal is Feb. 24th and the last thing the Knicks want is Mike D’Antoni testifying against Marbury.
With one roster spot, the Knicks can sign a D-League player to a 10-day contract, though it does not appear Patrick Ewing Jr. is squarely on the radar any longer. He did not make the D-League All-Star Game, was a no-show for its Slam-Dunk competition and is not starting in Reno.
Donnie could also finally release Cuttino Mobley, unless they think his expiring contract can be a chip this summer.
As for trades, the Knicks are under so many restrictions, not being able to take back a contract past 2010. And the one guy they really want to trade, Eddy Curry, is untradeable right now. Curry didn’t even make good on his promise of returning to practice Monday.
The offers for David Lee have dissipated with Donnie making it known he would want a quasi-All-Star in return. Donnie will roll the dice Lee doesn’t get a mega-offer this summer.
Krypto-Nate? Not sure a guy whose never been to the playoffs will net a legitimate offer like a first-round pick.
As much as he’d like to make an upgrade, Donnie will be very selective at the deadline. He’d love to add a shotblocking center but only for something like Malik Rose’s expiring pact or the erratic Quentin Richardson. And only if that center’s contract expires before 2010. It will be hard to do. Accepting Marbury’s money will be easier, even if Boston is clearing a spot for the Knicks point guard with the Sam Cassell trade.
If the Knicks can’t stay in the playoff race, there are two goals across the final 30 games, beginning tonight with San Antonio. Developing Danilo and getting Curry onto the court so teams can see he still has a pulse. Trading Curry may be the only way Walsh decides to match a gigantic offer sheet for Lee.