Allen Iverson became a free man again last night, clearing waivers and clearing the way for him to join the Knicks in time for next week’s West Coast trip vs. the Lakers, Kings and Nuggets.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni were planning on interviewing Iverson first as final confirmation of their desire to make this massive move that changes the entire face of this season’s club. There’s a possibility of Iverson coming to New York for a sit-down meeting — the primary reason for the delay.
Walsh and D’Antoni said an official signing may not come until after the weekend. Walsh, who met with his scouts yesterday, is expected to offer Iverson a one-year, $1.3M deal unless the interview goes awry.
The Post reported in yesterday’s editions that D’Antoni told Walsh he endorsed the move. Walsh was leaning against pursuing Iverson, calling it “a long shot,” until D’Antoni said he was all for it, a reversal of his position over the summer. A heavy recommendation from Iverson’s former coach Larry Brown also was a factor.
D’Antoni fears the Knicks’ roster might not be better than its horrible 2-9 start and is concerned a 20-win season would scare away LeBron James. At one point yesterday, D’Antoni referred to the Knicks as “dead in the water,” but he quickly corrected himself.
If Iverson sparkles and warrants a new contract, he could turn into a lure for James. Leon Rose is the agent for both James and Iverson, who has the Knicks on top of his list.
“We just don’t want to be rash about anything,” D’Antoni said. “We want to try to make a good decision, make sure everybody is on board, make sure this is a positive move. It takes a little bit of time. We played 11 games so we have 71 left, so be it if it’s 68 or 66.”
The Knicks face the winless Nets and Celtics over the weekend.
“We’re at a point where, ‘Do we need an influx of something else?’ “ D’Antoni said. “It’s always a fluid situation. We’re just trying to determine what is best for these players and this organization.”
Importantly, D’Antoni said he was not concerned about Iverson’s reputation — something that worried him in the summer. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem, but that’s why conversations have to take place,” D’Antoni said.
Iverson would start ahead of struggling point guard Chris Duhon, who would become a backup. Nate Robinson, who is Iverson Lite, would also be greatly affected. D’Antoni would still keep rookie Toney Douglas in the mix.
Last night, Charles Barkley on TNT said, “It won’t work. The Knicks stink.” Barkley added the New York press, which he called pejorative, would make life miserable for A.I.
Perhaps one other reason for the delay in his signing was the revival of Eddy Curry on Wednesday night in his season debut in Indiana, when he scored 10 points in 11 minutes and looked like the low-post threat that nearly made him an All-Star three years ago.
“I think it weighs in a little bit because we looked good in spots, but we’ve looked good before,” D’Antoni said.
A 10-time All-Star, Iverson is hardly the player he once was. After Denver traded him to Detroit last season for Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets became beasts and the Pistons struggled.
Iverson averaged 17 points for the Pistons and was bothered by a bad back. Iverson’s stint in Memphis was an unmitigated disaster, ending after three games.
“I don’t think anybody’s made a decision yet,” D’Antoni said. “We’re going to keep looking at it. I don’t think we’re ready to say yeah or nay yet.”
A report Miami would pursue Iverson proved false, according to the Miami Herald.
marc.berman@nypost.com