The Knicks have had internal discussions about point guard Ty Lawson, who was waived by the Rockets on Tuesday, but have decided not to make a play, according to an NBA source.
Desperate for a point guard, the Knicks are more interested in a younger guy to develop as they appear unlikely to renew the 10-day contract of Jimmer Fredette that expires Wednesday night. Fredette possibly ended his Knicks career by playing the final 3:13 Tuesday and making 4-of-5 free throws, amid a wave of “Jimmer” chants. He did not play in three games and logged 1:49 in another contest.
“I have no idea,’’ Fredette said afterward. “You never know what’s going to happen next. I worry about things I can worry about. I’ll live day by day.’’
Asked whether the chants were a distraction, Fredette said: “I just try to focus in on the game and support my teammates and not let it be a distraction to myself. I know the coaches and teammates don’t let it distract them.”
Lawson starred at Denver, but his career has crumbled in the last season-and-a-half with off-the-court incidents related to alcohol. Lawson had two DUI offenses last summer and the NBA suspended him three games. Lawson reportedly also warred with former Nuggets coach Phil Jackson confidant Brian Shaw, who could be a Knicks coaching candidate after the season.
Lawson is one of the Knicks’ free-agent possibilities this summer and it seemed like a good time to give him an audition, but he may want to go to a playoff club. The Knicks also are eyeing point guard Ray McCallum, waived Monday by the Spurs to make room for Andre Miller after McCallum had shown some promise this season.
Also on their radar is former 76ers point guard Tony Wroten, who was waived in January and hasn’t been signed. The Post recently reported the Knicks didn’t view Wroten as someone who would crack the rotation, so they passed. However, the Knicks, after falling to 13th place, are more in developmental mode now. Interim coach Kurt Rambis said Monday they are possibly looking for a young player to finish out the season and bring back to summer league.