Credit Donnie Walsh for this one. The Knicks president got his men — David Lee and Nate Robinson — for one-year deals, at fair market value and with his 2010 cap space untouched.
Lee joined Robinson in the fold yesterday by agreeing to a one-year, $7.5 million deal. There is an incentive clause for $500,000 if the Knicks make the playoffs, which likely is not happening.
Lee will sign the contract today — three days before the Knicks open training camp and avoiding the ugly specter of a holdout.
On Wednesday, Robinson, their other restricted free agent, also reached a verbal agreement with the Knicks on a one-year deal for more than the $2.9 million qualifier, believed to be in excess of $4M. Robinson also could sign the contract today.
FRIDAY’S STATEMENT FROM KNICKS
Both Robinson and Lee will officially end their free-agent status today on day 87.
“We got a deal done,” Lee’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Post. “It took a long time and we went through a lot of things, but both sides are comfortable. It was very unique circumstances this year.”
Bartelstein praised Walsh for providing Lee drastically more than the $2.6M qualifying offer he could have been forced to take, calling it “unprecedented.”
But in reality, Walsh was hardly generous. Bartelstein had sought a six-year deal at $10 million per, but found no takers. Portland feared the Knicks would match a long-term offer but they would not have.
“You can make the argument they didn’t have to do that and you can make the argument he’s worth more than that,” Bartelstein said. “There was never quite like the circumstances he faced as a free agent — restricted, base-year compensation, playing for a team going under the cap the following year.
“Everything you can possibly imagine was going on at the same time. They did something at the end of day they didn’t have to do.”
Walsh’s reluctance to give Lee a long-term deal calls into question whether the double-double extraordinaire is wanted for the long haul. Lee was second in the league in double-doubles and averaged 16 points and 11.7 rebounds. But Knicks brass doesn’t view him as a star player capable of making plays to win games in the final minute. Lee will be an unrestricted free agent in 2010 and likely will move on.
“We’re just worried about 2009,” Bartelstein said.
Lee was quoted on a Web site, saying, “I’m excited to be in New York. That’s what I set out to do in the first place.”
The Knicks haven’t announced the moves but yesterday Robinson confirmed he has a “verbal agreement” with the club.
Robinson claimed the club will be better defensively and playoff bound. That’s a stretch since the Knicks didn’t make additions to fill their holes.
“Unfortunately our record the last couple of years didn’t speak for anything, but last year was probably the best year we had, being around a group of guys who collectively love each other as brothers,” Robinson said on WFAN of the Knicks’ 32-50 season. “The coaching staff was perfect. They helped us a lot.”
The Knicks posted their eighth straight losing season of which Robinson and Lee have been part of the last four.
Coach Mike D’Antoni wanted to wave goodbye to Robinson, but no serious interest existed around the league. Their one-year commitment to Robinson was worth the investment for the freakishly athletic sixth man who averaged 17.2 ppg last season.
“We had a good spirit,” Robinson said. “That’s what we have now early. Beginning our second year with the same coaching staff and team, I so feel this could be our year. Hopefully playoffs are in our future this season.”
Robinson’s flaws are many. He is limited defensively because of his size. His immaturity leads to antagonizing opponents and drawing technicals. His arrest last month for driving without a license didn’t help his image. And in a game’s final possessions, when defenses tighten, he has not been effective as a go-to guy.
Robinson disputed the Knicks did not address last season’s defensive shortcomings when they allowed a league-high 107.4 ppg.
“[Rookie] Jordan Hill is a great shot-blocker and is going to contest a lot of shots,” Robinson said. “A lot guys are working on defense, including myself, picking up at full court. Toney Douglas is a great young rookie and plays both sides of the ball. We want to be a great team that plays defense team-wise.”
Asked why he tweeted during his arrest, Robinson said, “It’s in the past.”