Knicks Likely to Sign a Point Guard Soon

In order for Mike D'Antoni to fully implement his vision, he needs a talented point guard -- and as a wise man jilted teenager once said, "Chris Duhon ain't getting it done." After watching the most talented free agent point guards either re-sign with their original teams (Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby) or commit elsewhere (Andre Miller), the Knicks are left to sift through the bargain bin.

On Wednesday, that entailed meeting with Jamaal Tinsley, who's so eager to reunite with Donnie Walsh, his former boss in Indiana, that he'd sign a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum. The Knicks have also shown interest in the recently unretired Jason Williams, who'd also likely settle for a one-year deal, and Walsh has met with Allen Iverson's agent, although nothing is expected to come of that.

What do all three of those guys have in common? Nobody wants them.

Tinsley hasn't played in 16 months and just had the last two years of his contract bought out by the Pacers. Williams had trouble finding work last summer before settling for a one-year contract with the Clippers -- he ultimately had second thoughts and retired before the start of the season.

And Iverson? He bombed so badly in Detroit that he finished the season excused from team activities. He's been reduced to begging for work from the Grizzlies and Clippers, not even on the radar screen for serious contenders.

After exorcising themselves of Stephon Marbury, why risk taking two steps back with the likes of Tinsley or Iverson? And after being dissatisfied with Duhon's conditioning, why sign a guy who hasn't played competitive ball in a year like Williams?

Fortunately, there's still hope, Knicks fans! According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, D'Antoni favors Ramon Sessions, Milwaukee's 23-year-old restricted free agent who's shown flashes of brillaint may be available following Brandon Jennings' impressive summer league performance in Las Vegas.

Compared to a veteran on his last legs, signing a young point guard on the rise is by far the most expensive option, and a multiyear deal goes against New York's philosophy of hoarding cap space for the summer of 2010.

But considering the lack of options (including the fact that Steve Nash just signed an extension in Phoenix, dashing any dreams of a D'Antoni reunion next year) and the state of the economy, Sessions simply doesn't have the leverage to command a lucrative, cap-crippling deal. In fact, he may have to settle for the MLE over four or five years -- something the Knicks are reportedly prepared to do -- which would likely be too rich for the Bucks to match.

We may find out soon what Walsh decides to do; Isola reports that Walsh is "expected to decide within one day or two whether to make an offer" to Tinsley or Sessions. If he puts in a bid for Sessions, it may take seven days before the Bucks decide whether they want to match, at which point Tinsley might already be signed by the Grizzlies or Heat, but if the Knicks are serious about competing, it's a risk worth taking.