With the signing of Jared Jeffries imminent, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said the 6-foot-11 swingman would be a welcome addition. Jeffries’ buyout with the Rockets became official last night and he was placed on waivers, according to two league sources. The Post reported yesterday the Knicks plan on signing him.
Jeffries won’t clear waivers until Tuesday, which accounts for two business days, and he could be ready for Tuesday’s game against Dwight Howard and the Magic in Orlando.
“There is always interest in Jared Jeffries,” D’Antoni said in Cleveland before the Knicks’ 115-109 loss to the Cavaliers. “We need some size, so we’ll do what we need to. He’s a winner, and he played well with us. He plays defense, and we’re looking to play defense.”
Jeffries is one of D’Antoni’s favorites, and he and team president Donnie Walsh feel Jeffries can solidify the team’s interior defense, weakened by the Carmelo Anthony blockbuster. Jeffries was a member of the Knicks’ starting front court last season before he was traded to Houston last February to create more cap space. Another bonus is Jeffries originally was signed by Isiah Thomas, which will make owner James Dolan happy.
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Walsh is mulling signing two big men to give the roster more size after losing Timofey Mozgov and Anthony Randolph. Ex-Knicks center Earl Barron is still on the radar and Troy Murphy is also available.
The Knicks’ roster is at the maximum. They will have to cut at least one player, but Renaldo Balkman could survive because he as two more years left on his pact, was a Thomas draft pick and made a cameo last night, playing 7:30. The Knicks are considering releasing Kelenna Azubuike, who has yet to play after not responding well to knee surgery 15 months ago.
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Anthony weighed in on the Nets’ acquisition of Deron Williams. If it’s not point guard Chris Paul joining the Knicks as their third star in 2012, it could be Williams jumping ship.
“Yeah, that was shocking to me because I was just with him this weekend and I don’t think he knew what was going on,” Anthony said of Williams. “It was last minute. But that’s the business of basketball.”
Williams has not committed to the Nets, and the Knicks’ master plan is adding another superstar free agent in 2012 with potentially $15 million of cap space.
“Nah, it’s too early for me [to talk about that)],” Anthony said. “I’m focusing on my situation here. I’ll let y’all do that.”
Walsh said Thursday that he did not view Williams as a missed opportunity.
Said D’Antoni: “We already charted our course. I don’t know if we would have done anything different anyway.”
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New Cavalier Baron Davis didn’t arrive yet but was given LeBron James‘ old locker.