"You want ultimate weirdness, see how this grabs you: A source claims the Knicks and Steve Francis - exiled to Houston supposedly to rehab a tender knee - are discussing a contract buyout; what remains of this season's $15 million salary and the next two, $16.44M and $17.8M.

Actually, that in itself is not all that weird, or scarcely surprising considering Maurice Taylor and Jalen Rose already have taken that route, and Francis is a duplication of Stephon Marbury. At least two columns, maybe three, were committed to condemning the acquisition of Francis the week leading up to the exchange of the expiring pact of Penny Hardaway and Trevor (eight straight double-figure scoring efforts for the Magic) Ariza.

Everybody and his rollers recognized Francis didn't qualify as a lid to the Knicks' pot. Everybody, that is, except Thomas, and by the looks of things, Brown too, which I queasily admit is news to me.

A seamless segue to the perfectly peculiar part of this latest development: According to the same source, stage two of Francis' buyout conversation, coordinated by agent Jeff Fried, is dialogue with Brown about his client joining the 76ers after he clears waivers.

Say it ain't so! For months I've maintained "Play the game the right way" Brown never would've endorsed such procurement, much less initiated it. Has Billy King seconded this motion? If so, does that mean he's back under the influence of Brown and no longer in charge? If not, is the Sixers president aware of the talk? That's just what David Stern needs, another team management matter to arbitrate.

Brown is responsible for putting the "W" in weird."




hmmm... it'd be nice to buy out Stevie Franchise-killer and it looks like Brown DID want him after all.



edit: oops, title should read "Larry Brown will attempt to sign Francis after the KNICKS complete buyout negotiations," you get the point.

[Edited by - crzymdups on 01-09-2007 2:14 PM]

I guess this puts the "who wanted francis" debate to rest.

finally.

now...if we had reezy still...

There's already a link on this.

More from Vecsey:

"Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia, a report surfaced last week the 76ers were discussing a contract buyout ($20.72M/$22.3M) of Chris Webber.

King refused to comment on the Webber matter to the local media and failed to respond to my e-mail or an earlier phone call about something else. More evidence Brown is back wielding the weight. I figured it'd be a waste of time to contact him regarding Francis.
It's no secret Webber and Thomas are boys. When he was a free agent four years ago,

Thomas' Pacers were one of the few teams C-Web seriously considered playing for; in fact, he went through a whole interview process with Indiana before re-signing with Sacramento.

When (not if) Webber's buyout agreement is finalized, I'll be shocked if he doesn't wind up a Knick for at least the remainder of the season.

Between Thomas and Brown, they're weirdin' me out."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092007/sports/knicks/putting_the_w_in_weird_knicks_peter_vecsey.htm?page=2


Francis to the Sixers and Webber to the Knicks? excuse me while I puke.

Thankyou TMS

If we sign Webber can we trade Rose back to the Spurs for more draft picks?