INDIANAPOLIS — Knicks team president Donnie Walsh gave strong indications he will make an offer to Allen Iverson, possibly as soon as tonight, when the veteran guard clears waivers at 6 p.m. and the A.I. New York Era could begin by the weekend.
A source said coach Mike D’Antoni told Walsh Tuesday night he is on board with pursuing Iverson, fearing the team would continue its titanic collapse. Last night, the Knicks rallied from 19 points down late in the third quarter to upset the Pacers, 110-103, at Conseco Field House and move to 2-9.
Walsh said he hoped to have a decision one way or another by tonight, and all appearances now are he wants to make the move. The Knicks don’t play until Saturday in New Jersey.
Walsh referred to his bid as a “long shot” Tuesday and told another newspaper he “probably won’t” pursue Iverson a few days ago. But now the Knicks are ultra serious.
Walsh plans to speak with Iverson, possibly tomorrow. It’s unclear if Iverson would come to New York. Walsh already has spoken with Larry Brown, Iverson’s former coach, who gave Walsh an endorsement despite his past feuds with the guard.
Walsh can offer Iverson a one-year deal for the $1.31 million veteran’s minimum or offer him a portion of their $6 million mid-level exception.
Though Walsh said a decision hasn’t been made whether to make an offer, he made several hints that he would.
“Until something’s done, it’s not done, until it’s signed,” Walsh said at one juncture.
Walsh said he wouldn’t make the move unless he got full support from D’Antoni.
“I won’t do it if I don’t [have it],” Walsh said. “I’m not going to force anybody on a coach.
“The timing would be right if we can make a decision one way or another by that time [tonight],” Walsh added. “I’ll have a better feel tomorrow.”
One issue Walsh raised Tuesday was whether Iverson will hurt the development of young players such as Toney Douglas, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari. Walsh said he didn’t think it would. In fact, Walsh said it would help.
“I think the young players can benefit if they’re not getting it done, they can benefit by a guy who could show them how to get it done,” Walsh said. “This move would make it better for the young players to learn.”
Walsh said he is unsure if other teams are pursuing Iverson or if he will clear waivers. Iverson did not draw much interest over the summer, even from the Knicks, concerned about him being a disruption.
“We’ll see if the organization wants to change direction because he’s a change of direction, no doubt about it,” D’Antoni said. “They asked me. We talked about it and I told them.”
D’Antoni and Walsh said they would talk to Iverson before the signing. Walsh has just spoken to agent Leon Rose.
“I don’t know him,” Walsh said. “I’d like to get to know him.”
Al Harrington said he thinks Iverson could give the Knicks a lift.
“I think it would help the team because he’s a proven scorer, a Hall of Famer, especially in the situation we’re in,” he said.
Larry Hughes, Iverson’s former teammate in Philadelphia in the late 1990’s, said he would like to play with Iverson again, though it probably would cut into his minutes.
“He’s one of my good friends still,” Hughes said. “I had fun playing with him. We kept in contact over the years. I wouldn’t mind playing with him again.
“Any talent is good,” Hughes added. “You can never have too much talent. It’s about putting all the pieces together. A team can never have too much talent.”
Eddy Curry, who made a successful debut last night with 10 points in 11:55, said, “He’s a great player. We can definitely use the help.”
Iverson played three games with Memphis before taking a leave of absence after complaining about not starting and his playing time.