When training camp opened one month ago, Stephon Marbury said that he’d “be fine” if the Knicks waived him so he could get a fresh start elsewhere.
The Knicks did not oblige and now they have created Marbury’s worst nightmare – stuck in purgatory with no way out. Marbury, a DNP in Wednesday’s season opener and until further notice, will not ask to be waived because that could be seen as hurting his negotiating power. He does not want to take less than the $21.9 million owed him on the final year of his contract.
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To his credit, Marbury is behaving impeccably despite not getting a fair shake from coach Mike D’Antoni, who would like to release Marbury.
According to a source, Marbury became suspicious of D’Antoni’s plans last week. D’Antoni used Marbury in the starting lineup in the second-to-last preseason game vs. Philly, a fivesome that had never played together in a game or practice. It looked like D’Antoni put the lineup together with the intention of having it fail.
“You got to speak to them about (being waived),” Marbury said. “Of course I want to play. I have no control over that. I’m under contract – when my contract is up I can go forward from there.”
Donnie Walsh has not ruled out waiving Marbury. If they are leaning in that direction, that may be why D’Antoni and Walsh spoke a few days ago about trying to get recently waived rookie Patrick Ewing Jr. back, anticipating a roster opening.
Marbury said he’d rather not be on the inactive list tonight in Philly, though it would make sense to give Anthony Roberson a chance during garbage time.
“I still want to be there just in case,” Marbury said. “I prepared myself for the summer for two, three hours [a day] on the basketball court. At any given moment, I’m ready.”
The reasons for keeping Marbury around are as insurance for Danilo Gallinari and in case the current rotation doesn’t win. Gallinari still has back pain and was ineffective for three scoreless minutes in his Knick debut. Marbury played some small forward in preseason.
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The Knicks spoke to the Warriors about trading disgruntled Eddy Curry for disgruntled Al Harrington, but it won’t happen because they also wanted David Lee.