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joec32033
Posts: 30640
Alba Posts: 37
Joined: 2/3/2004
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USA
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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/487977p-410905c.html
Isiah eyes Francis for Webber
BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Chris Webber, waived by Sixers, could end up a Knick if Isiah Thomas clears out Steve Francis' contract.
Isiah Thomas sent Chris Webber love letters through the media yesterday in the hopes of fortifying the Knicks' lineup while continuing to work behind the scenes to remove Steve Francis from the roster.
Despite repeated denials, the Knicks and Francis have discussed a buyout, but neither side can agree on how much money it will take to make the veteran guard disappear.
A source familiar with the negotiations said that Francis, who is working out in Houston, might yet rejoin the team if a settlement is not reached, but that Francis and the Knicks both believe that a clean break would best serve both parties. The Knicks have little need for Francis because the Knicks are committed to Jamal Crawford as their shooting guard. Francis does not want to be a backup.
For the past 10 days, Thomas has denied talk of a buyout, and Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, says that his client is not looking for a golden parachute. So why the denials? In the post-Larry Brown era, the Knicks and Thomas want to avoid a messy public divorce at all costs. Francis, whose career has nose-dived in recent years, does not want to come across as a malcontent to prospective suitors.
If and when the Knicks reach a settlement with Francis, he would join Maurice Taylor and Jalen Rose - who is expected to get a buyout from Phoenix in upcoming weeks - as the third high-priced veteran to receive a lucrative deal not to play for the Knicks this season.
Brown had suggested that Thomas cut three veterans last season because he believed it would help him manage the roster. As the Knicks' coach, Brown realized that having too many unwanted veterans with long-term contracts can be a recipe for disaster.
Brown's plan, which was rebuffed by management, was to add three young players - possibly from the D-League - to use as practice players for the remainder of the season.
Privately, the Knicks accused Brown of trying to undermine Thomas by seeking to release three veterans Thomas had acquired. The Knicks later claimed that Brown wanted to cut both Francis and Stephon Marbury.
Once Thomas was named as Brown's replacement, he realized that in order to give himself every chance to succeed, he needed to "remove the clutter," as one opposing general manager put it. Taylor and Rose were scheduled to earn $9.8 million and $16 million, respectively. Cutting Francis would be very costly. He is scheduled to earn $48 million through the 2008-09 season. Francis would give the Knicks a discount only if he can sign for the mid-level exception elsewhere, which at this stage is unlikely.
"Is it any surprise that Stephon Marbury has played better since Francis stopped playing and Nate Robinson was suspended?" asked one league executive. "There is a direct correlation between Marbury's performance and not having those guys around. I love the way Stephon is playing. Isiah's smart. He is doing exactly what Larry wanted to do."
Thomas reiterated that he has interest in Webber, who wants to play for a contending team such as Detroit, Miami, Dallas or San Antonio. Thomas then became belligerent when asked if the Knicks had a chance to acquire the veteran power forward.
"We're interested, but we're not - don't make this out to be like, if we don't get him, we blew it," Thomas fired back.
The addition of Webber would have an impact on Channing Frye, David Lee and Jared Jeffries. However, in the watered-down Eastern Conference, Thomas believes that acquiring Webber could give the Knicks a better shot of reaching the playoffs and perhaps winning a round ... or two.
"This is going to be a strange year.... I think this still is anybody's ballgame," said Thomas, whose team faces Charlotte tonight.
"I think a guy like him definitely can be a difference-maker."
Interesting. Especially the part about the observation of Marbury playing better without Francis and Nate around.....
~You can't run from who you are.~
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1/12/2007 5:42 AM
