August 15, 2005
The Knicks Decide Not to Waive Houston
By HOWARD BECK

Allan Houston, whose name became nearly synonymous with a new rule aimed at unloading expensive players, will be spared when the league's so-called amnesty deadline passes tonight.

The Knicks had considered waiving Houston to save about $40 million in luxury taxes on his salary, under a one-time option provided by the new collective bargaining agreement. That provision, adopted in July, has been commonly referred to as the Allan Houston rule.

But in a curious twist, the rule will not claim its namesake as a victim. Instead, the Knicks will waive a spare power forward, either Jerome Williams or Malik Rose, sometime today, said a basketball official who was briefed on the decision. The person required anonymity to avoid jeopardizing relations with team officials.

A second person briefed on the discussions, who required anonymity for the same reason, said that Williams was the probable amnesty target. Williams is owed about $19 million over the next three seasons; waiving him would save the Knicks an equal sum in luxury tax payments.

A Knicks spokesman said the team would have no comment until it formally made a move today.

Houston had seemed to be the most likely target of the amnesty clause. He is 34, has played only 70 games the past two seasons, and has an incurable arthritic condition in his left knee. But Houston is working diligently to strengthen his legs and the Knicks have been encouraged by his progress.

In deference to Houston's contributions, team officials concluded they should give him every opportunity to make a comeback. Houston has a close relationship with James L. Dolan, the Madison Square Garden chairman, and a good rapport with the Knicks' new coach, Larry Brown. If healthy, he is still the team's best shooter.

Williams and Rose are members of a crowded power forward rotation that also includes Mike Sweetney (the probable starter), Maurice Taylor and the rookies David Lee and Channing Frye.

jyd has a TEAM option for the 3rd year

6.1/6.4/7.1

he's only owed $12.5 mil

i could even see LB wanting to start JYD this year at SF. so strange

Please waive Rose.

btw, I think Dolan ordered the Knicks not to waive Houston. If so, that is another indication that winning comes second.

Posted by Knight:

Posted by Rich:

btw, I think Dolan ordered the Knicks not to waive Houston. If so, that is another indication that winning comes second.

He still might retire, give me a break. Even if he doesn't it will not hurt winning next year.


[Edited by - Knight on 08-14-2005 11:46 PM]

Because you know that he won't take PT away from a younger guard like Q or Craw, and you know that the Knicks couldn't use the $40 million savings to waive another useless player.

You need a break.

Posted by djsunyc:

the only thing that can happen is for them to also announce h20's retirement tomorrow or in the near future. if the amnesty rule is not used on h20 AND he doesn't retire, then winning still ain't #1 to jimmy d.

Well put.

Yeah, being objective is tantamount to being a hater. Not.

Posted by Rich:

Yeah, being objective is tantamount to being a hater. Not.

If saying the owner of a team spending millions of dollars doesn't want to win is objective then we have a different idea about objectivity.

Posted by NYK3:

Dolan and Isiah obviously know something we dont, either hes gonna retire soon or MAYBE he is good to go and can contribute this year

if they think he's good to go...then we're all set up for another dissapointment.

i like h20 alot. he became my 2nd favorite knick. but there needs to be a plan here. thinking h20 can come back and help is futile. FUTILE. we don't need him for 10 mins a game for the next two years. we are rebuilding, we are not contending for a championship. i don't care if we waive him and he goes to the nets and averages 20ppg the next 2 seasons, his time here is up.

the sad thing is that the low point of this organization over the past 20 years will be tied in with layden and the h20 contract.

I don't get it, if we're not contending for a championship then why does anyone care if Dolan wants to pay Houston to sit on the bench? But if we are trying to make a playoff push, great shooters are invaluable. Not to mention it doesn't hurt to have veteran leadership in the locker room, in practice, and on the court. I don't want to hear that the younger guards couldn't benefit from Allan's experience and the example he sets.

[Edited by - Knight on 08-15-2005 12:06 AM]