Knocking down speculation he wouldn’t want Stephon Marbury on board because of a past rift, Kevin Garnett endorsed having the banished Knicks point guard join the Celtics.
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“I’m not opposed to Steph,” Garnett said after the Celtics suffered a stunning 100-88 loss to the Knicks last night. “I feel Steph has a lot of basketball left. I know his IQ is very, very high. He is one of the best point guards I’ve ever played with. I wouldn’t be opposed to that. If Steph comes to this team and makes us better, I’m all for that.”
Garnett and Marbury were teammates for two seasons in Minnesota and made the playoffs both years. The perception is Marbury left because he didn’t want to play second fiddle to Garnett. Marbury told The Post recently that Garnett had nothing to do with his forcing himself out of Minnesota. Marbury said he had no desire to raise his family the next seven years in the cold climate of Minnesota and felt Minneapolis wasn’t culturally diverse enough.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh will travel with the team on its eight-day Southwest road trip, but may call Players Association attorney Hal Biagas as soon as today to restart buyout talks.
Marbury said he is skeptical he will be given his freedom. He will not take a buyout and said he believes the Knicks will not release him not because of the money, but because they don’t want him to make their decision look bad if he goes to Boston or Miami.
Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo said he would have no problems with Marbury coming to the team as his backup.
“People might think it’s a bad idea, but I think it would help us,” Rondo said. “I’m new in this league, I heard a little bit of his reputation, but I’m not going to judge him.”
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he would discuss a Marbury signing with his top players first before the team signed him.
“When we’re adding anyone to team, especially at this point of the season, I would talk it over with the players,” Rivers said, adding that Marbury not playing this season is a concern.
Marbury has had interest in Boston since the summer when reports suggested coach Mike D’Antoni wanted him out. But a source close to Marbury said his first preference is a playoff contender, where he can start.
Marbury told The Post Friday he would be “honored to put on the white and green” and told a Minnesota TV station, “Reuniting with Kevin is something I would love.”