As the Knicks play out the string and look at players for next season, rookie guard Toney Douglas still is out of the picture.
Douglas did not play for the second straight game in last night’s disgraceful 113-93 loss to the Nets after he played just the final three minutes of the rout over the Pistons on Wednesday. Considering Donnie Walsh forked over $3 million to buy the Lakers’ first-round pick to take Douglas at No. 29, his lack of playing time is baffling. Douglas has played in 36 of 62 games.
Across this miserable season, coach Mike D’Antoni periodically has talked about taking a closer look at Douglas, but it has been mostly talk. After the Tracy McGrady trade, D’Antoni said he wanted to play Douglas more because “we have serious decisions to make over the summer.”
D’Antoni’s failure to make Douglas a staple of the rotation and his remark about summer decisions are indications that he does not know if Douglas is part of the future.
The Knicks could include Douglas in a sign-and-trade over the summer to open up for salary cap space. Douglas is year one of his two-year rookie contract.
“I’m not really surprised,” Douglas told The Post. “It’s a business. I just feel I’ll be ready when he calls my name. I can only control the things I can control — working out, always being in the gym. When I get there I’ll make an impact. The other stuff is out of my control. Whatever other decisions the coach makes, it’s on them.”
Douglas’ work ethic and positive attitude have helped him gain favor with the coaching staff. But his lack of a point-guard mentality hurts him as a small guard. Douglas was touted for his defense, but D’Antoni’s philosophy is to judge players on offensive skill.
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Eddy Curry (left knee surgery) will make return to action on Wednesday in San Antonio, D’Antoni said.