http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/53132/20080623/marbury_nearly_bought_out_back_in_november/

Stephon Marbury has admitted that his contract was nearly bought out by Isiah Thomas and the Knicks back in November 2007 following the fiasco in Phoenix, the New York Post is reporting.

Marbury is also sure that he would have been bought out this off-season if Donnie Walsh did not replace Isiah Thomas.

According to Marbury, Thomas did not just want him out of the starting lineup for Mardy Collins in November, Thomas wanted him out of the organization and sent him home to have his contract bought out. Marbury said he still doesn't know how things changed the next day, when summoned back to Phoenix, the talk of a buyout history.

"Going AWOL is something I never would do," Marbury told The Post. "I would never just get up and walk out on the team and say, 'I don't want to play because I'm not going to start.'"

"Why would I want to lose $250,000?" Marbury said. "The fans thought I just left the Knicks because Mardy was going to start over me. I was sent home for other reasons, not because I wasn't going to start. He wanted to go in a different direction. (Thomas) felt I wasn't going to get the job done."

Marbury has been running the hills of Hollywood, trying to get in the best shape of his career as he enters a contract season.

My bad, didn't see Nalod's thread. I guess I haven't had enough coffee yet.