The end of the Stephon Marbury Era may come as soon as today when Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Marbury are expected to meet in what could turn into an exit interview.
Walsh said he will sit down with Marbury either today or tomorrow. Walsh said he wants to move toward a resolution before the next game vs. Charlotte Wednesday. The Post reported yesterday Walsh wanted the sitdown before he decides to waive him or negotiate a buyout.
“I’m saying I got to get involved in this,” Walsh said before last night’s discouraging 94-86 loss to the Bucks, during which Marbury was deactivated again. “There aren’t a lot of options.”
Trading Marbury, because of his $21.9 million wage, is virtually impossible, Walsh admitted, because of the Knicks’ stance of not taking back a contract that runs past 2010. The Knicks also aren’t allowed to trade Marbury for two players because they are at the maximum 15.
Marbury and Walsh did not speak during the preseason, and Marbury said he has never been approached about a buyout. Unless Walsh can talk coach Mike D’Antoni into giving Marbury another shot, considering the awful play of their starting backcourt the past two games, he’s out of here. The Knicks likely would try to re-sign Patrick Ewing Jr. if Marbury is cut.
Marbury, who wore a gray tweed jacket on the end of the bench, is showing restraint, willing to let the Knicks set a timetable for the divorce, not wanting to say anything inflammatory to jeopardize matters.
“I’m patient,” Marbury said. “I’m sitting still. Whatever they think is best for me, I’ll go with. Through every test is a testimony. I’m in the best phase of my life.”
Marbury has no agent. If the Knicks waive Marbury, they would save a small portion of what they owe if Marbury signs with another team, according to the CBA’s offset clause.
The Knicks would save half the amount of Marbury’s new salary. Sources say Denver and the Heat would have interest in signing Marbury, who told The Post before preseason he would donate his new salary to charity.
Walsh revealed he was blindsided when Marbury, the league’s second-highest-paid player, did not play the season opener. Marbury averaged 20 minutes in seven preseason games.
That’s the strongest evidence banishing Marbury was entirely D’Antoni’s call. It’s peculiar D’Antoni did not tell his boss about his bombshell decision.
“I didn’t realize he wouldn’t play,” Walsh said, adding, “I kind of expected it would be a big thing.”
Walsh has only praised Marbury the past two days and shown him compassion, indicating he may not play hardball about Marbury accepting a reduced take. Marbury insisted again he wants the whole enchilada.
“I signed a contract,” Marbury said. “The contract says, this is how much money I’m going to make this year.”
D’Antoni has explained Marbury’s benchings as looking ahead to beyond this season. When asked why should Marbury be kept on the team, D’Antoni said, “We owe him a lot of money.”
D’Antoni said he is an insurance policy in case of injury to his three guards – Chris Duhon, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson.
“We have three players, we have to know about them,” D’Antoni said. “Something happens to one of them, I can see him taking a role, even a starter’s role. You never know what happens.”