The New York Post reports that Stephon Marbury was summoned to a meeting with Knicks boss Donnie Walsh, supposedly to discuss a buy-out. In an interview just a few weeks ago, Starbury insisted he had "earned his $22 million" salary guaranteed for this season and remained strong in his assertion he would not sign a buy-out which left him with less than his full paycheck.Marbury also doesn't have an agent, and the players union stepped in to help out a month ago, with president Billy Hunter declaring the union wanted to make sure Starbury got paid. The Post reports a union attorney accompanied Marbury to the Walsh meeting, which implies the parties are at a point where real negotiation seems possible.
You'd assume the impetus on Marbury's end to get away from the Knicks is two-fold: he wants to play basketball this year, and he wants to get paid something next summer. But this assumes interest from other teams. Starbury professed his desire to join the broken Spurs ... but can R.C. Buford and Gregg Popovich really be that desperate? I mean, George Hill is pretty good and Tony Parker will be back before you know it. The Celtics? OH COME ON. Sure, so long as Lindsey Hunter is getting picked up at age 38, there's a chance Marbury actually lands somewhere. But there's no way a job is guaranteed in this cost-cutting climate. Marbury shouldn't leave too much cheddar on the table if he does agree to walk away from the Knicks.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-14-2008 @ 2:05PM
jamel cornish said...
Starbury is a monster... the wizards need him
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11-14-2008 @ 4:15PM
Ruben said...
nobody needs this monster. Starbury is poison
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11-14-2008 @ 7:02PM
Ruben said...
Starbury will never be on a championship team, period.
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11-14-2008 @ 4:23PM
Jim said...
Marbury is a butt plug
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11-14-2008 @ 4:52PM
realist said...
Both sides should be reasonable. Marbury should give a bit, and so should the Knicks. Marbury wants to play and can help someone, the Knicks need to clear out the stench of the Thomas era. Let's not be stubborn and get it done. Both sides have enough cash not to be petty. Give up $5 million or so, Starbury--you'll make it up and more down the line, and you'll be happier.
And the Knicks? Unfortunately, still stuck with Curry (can play in certain limited situations--was actually in discussion for the all-star team not long ago) and Jerome James (the less said, the better).
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11-15-2008 @ 6:14PM
Oli said...
It would be bad business for Steph to accept less... think about how much he will get on his next contract... it wont be 5 million a season. If he chops 5 mill, he will get about 550 000 (veterans minimum this year) and it is very likely he will only get 2 million a year or so next year...
so in effect, by not playing this year he will make multiple millions more than he would if he negotiated a buy out and played the rest of this season and next year.
Rich athlete or not, only idiots throw away millions of dollars....
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