Eddy Curry, back practicing with the Knicks, said in his first interview in a month he’d support getting traded if it meant the best for the Knicks’ future.
Knicks brass will shop his contract this summer in an attempt to get further under the 2010 salary cap.
“I’ve been here a long time,” Curry said before the Knicks lost 106-101 to the Nets last night at Izod Center. “I want to see us get better. If it takes my contract to do it, then I would hate to leave, [but] if it results in the Knicks getting better, I’m all for that.”
Curry probably sees the writing on the wall and isn’t fighting it. Curry also said he is eligible to opt out of his contract after next season, something the Knicks would love him to do.
But that would seem improbable the way Curry’s career has plummeted to rock bottom. Curry would leave $11.2 million on the table.
However, it is further motivation for the Knicks to get Curry going. Curry has played just 2 minutes, 38 seconds this season. He returned to practice Friday after sitting out another two months. D’Antoni said Curry is out of the rotation unless he earns it.
Curry plans on earning it.
“I have a lot of respect for Coach D’Antoni and respect for my teammates,” Curry said. “I don’t expect him to just throw me out there in front of somebody if I don’t earn it. I plan on showing him though practice and hard work I can help us win.”
With Jared Jeffries out with a bruised knee, missing his third straight game last night, there could be room for Curry amidst this current stretch of five straight road games. But Curry said he does hope to play on the upcoming four-game Rust Belt trip.
“Right now, honestly, I’m so happy to be back,” said Curry, who dressed the past two games. “Somehow I’ll get my wind back in a timely fashion and I can help the team, get in a game on the road.”