Houston's agent: Knicks a favorite
But snags could prevent a reunion
Friday, September 14, 2007
BY DAVE D'ALESSANDRO
Star-Ledger Staff

Forget about the Nets' flirtation with Allan Houston. For now.

There's a team closer to home -- and closer to his heart -- that is a more viable front-runner for his services, if Houston and his agent have anything to say about it.

"Let's be realistic," Bill Strickland said last night. "Given his tenure with the Knicks -- and this is me speaking, not Allan -- I would think they had a slight advantage over any and every team, given his history with the team."

That's not to say the two-time All-Star isn't considering all suitors, but Houston made his reputation in New York, developed an abnormally cordial relationship with owner Jim Dolan and was the face of the franchise for nine mostly successful seasons. Moreover, he lives a short drive from the Knicks' training complex in Greenburgh, N.Y.

The snags, of course, are obvious: The Knicks have 17 guaranteed contracts, including three shooting guards who have to play (Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson and Nate Robinson), and a management team that is very distracted right now. There would also be a great deal of pressure on Houston to regain his footing at Madison Square Garden two years after a chronic knee problem prematurely ended his career there.

Speaking of guaranteed contracts, Strickland may be the only one who doesn't consider it a hurdle. With so many teams conscious of the luxury tax threshold, however, it is a very strong consideration for teams such as the Nets -- who, as of now, are unwilling to give Houston anything but a make-good contract.

Does the agent really anticipate anyone giving his client a guaranteed deal?

"If I've got something to say about it," Strickland stated flatly.

"There are any number of (considerations), particular as a veteran player. He told me money is always important, but it's not the major consideration. The ring is important, but not the major consideration. He's driven in part by wanting to end his career on his own terms. And mentoring is a part of it. He sees himself being in a position to influence how young players approach the game.

"His family also figures prominently. That's why New Jersey is a real consideration if things don't work out for the Knicks. There are a number of teams interested. A lot of teams figure prominently in the confluence of things."

Those teams include Miami and Cleveland, among others. Virtually every team that watched Houston's impressive workout Monday at the New York Athletic Club have extended camp invitations to him since then. But as of last night, none are offering him a guaranteed deal. The Knicks and Nets attended the workout.

"A couple have suggested thoughts about a (guaranteed) contract," Strickland said. "I anticipate that when some of the GMs get back from (the Eurobasket tournament in) Spain that I'll hear something in stronger terms, because some of the decision-makers are abroad and need to see him for themselves. Once that occurs, I'll be surprised if anyone there wouldn't invite him to camp."

Does that mean the first team to ante up real money has the edge? Not necessarily.

"That's a decision for Allan to make, with my input," Strickland said. "And I'm believing it won't have to come down to that. I would suggest that there are many other factors he's considering -- who the coach is, style of ball, quality of life, proximity to home, where the team stands vis-à-vis the playoffs, where the team stands cap-wise, in terms of possibility of playing with them beyond this year, and so on.

"There are a number of factors he and I discussed that will be figured into this decision. So it's not really a matter of someone just giving guaranteed money. One team that will remain nameless, I told Allan, 'What if they give you the midlevel (exception), or a portion of it? And the Knicks and Nets can't match that? What are you going to decide?' He started talking about the other factors. That's why I say the Nets are a viable consideration. As are the Knicks -- probably more so."

The Nets will ask Houston to scrimmage with their younger players at their practice facility next week, when GM Ed Stefanski returns from Spain.

You want a hunch? They'll offer him a camp tryout, vet's minimum. And he'll turn them down.

One reason: Bill Strickland has already placed one client in Nets camp without a guaranteed contract (Malik Allen). Why would he want to diminish the chance of either guy to make the team by placing a second one there? It makes no sense.

No, we haven't talked to Mr. Bill; we're just guessing.

"I think Allan's looking for an opportunity, first and foremost," Thorn said. "He's trying to find a team - not necessarily a championship team - that will give him an opportunity to play. I think Allan is unhappy he didn't go out on his own terms. He's looking to maybe do something about that. I think all the teams looking at him were pretty good teams, but he's looking for some place he can play."

Posted by mrbean259:

The only way I could see him coming back to us is if we make some big 4-1 (like a Kobe or Artest) swap going after some superstar and needing someone to fill roster spots. At a certain point they'd have to be cutting valuable young players so I don't see this happening for Houston.

Posted by fishmike:

Posted by mrbean259:

The only way I could see him coming back to us is if we make some big 4-1 (like a Kobe or Artest) swap going after some superstar and needing someone to fill roster spots. At a certain point they'd have to be cutting valuable young players so I don't see this happening for Houston.

and we should.. we should move some of those young guys for Artest