1. Let him play.

Why? Because he's reportedly in great shape, because he's one of those athletes that turns it on to get the next contract (only to turn it off once the ink is dry), because we can possibly up his trade value for a deadline move.

Why not? Because he's lost the trust of teammates, because he's a bad fit for any style that doesn't allow him to dominate the basketball, because its quite possible he's no longer the athlete he once was and since he has the bball IQ of a fire hydrant & that combo of factors will lead to a huge/quick dropoff in abiliy (let alone the intangible negatives he brings). Pre-surgery, last year, Marbury couldn't stay in front of people & couldn't get to the rim the way he once did.

Chances of happening? 5%

2. Buy him out, waive him.

Why? Because he's simply no longer welcome & we need to delete him ASAP.

Why not? Because you'd be paying a motivated & fit Marbury 20mm to play in Miami.

Chances of happening? 85%

3. Tell him to sit home & rot, albeit while collecting $20mm. Tell him he's no longer welcome, but they won't buy him out unless its at a 25% discount.

Why? Because he's simply no longer welcome & we need to delete him ASAP. But in this scenario (my favorite), you make a more direct point about how the new Knicks won't tolerate this type of player or person any longer AND you maintain a trade chip for the deadline. That trade chip being an expiring contract. If a trade doesn't present itself in Feb, you lose nothing. You also get to play a little game of chicken with Marbury (i.e. if he desperately wants to play & possibly save his career, he may indeed opt for a discounted buy out).

Why not? I can think of no reason why not, this the most creative, most effective way of ending the Marbury era.

Chances of happening? 10%

1. 50%

2. 15%

3. 35%

Dolan is a spitful little man and I can see him letting him rot on the vine than waiving him.

Starbury was stupid to even state about "getting all my money". Just side step the subject or just say your looking forward to "fulfilling the contract the best I can and making a contribution". Don't talk about "your money"!

There's a precedent for telling him to stay away from the team but still honoring the contract $ wise, the Bulls did it with Tim Thomas.

Cook >> See # 3. If there was ever a time to play hardball, its now. If there was ever a play to play hardball with, its him.

Posted by purple012870:

Cook >> See # 3. If there was ever a time to play hardball, its now. If there was ever a play to play hardball with, its him.

It makes sense but it doesnt help the team chemistry with a malcontent like Marbury on the squad getting no PT. I don't want any distractions this year but it seems like its inevitable with the Knicks. What can you really get from an expiring contract if you are trying to get under the cap? Or if every team in the league is trying to get under the cap? Nada! Waive the bum. I'm worried about the long term. I could care less if he drops 50 on us while on the Heat, because in the long run we will be better. I know he is a expiring contract but for some reason I know we will be playing him to increase his value even more.

Raise hell where? From his Brooklyn home? Who cares? Under my proposal, he never wears a Knick jersey again. And to the degree he raises hell, he'd only be hurting himself further.

See ya Marbs, yeah we owe you 21mm, but we're done with people like you on our active roster.

He is poison. Don't ever let him contribute to our demise again. And last year, it was evident that he's no longer elite athletically. And mentally/emotionally....he's shot.

LOL

I also think he's incapable of being the talented but flawed player he once was. He's still flawed though.

I don't think he'll ever score like he did, penetrate or finish at the rim like he did.

If you watched him play last year, he was DONE.

To make matters worse, now that we have a coach that requires bball IQ (as opposed to incessant isolation plays), Marbury does not fit because he's flat out too stupid to play for D'antoni.

If we buy Marbury out at say $4 million less, then we also save the luxury tax. So, in effect , the Knicks save $8 million. That is worth waiting on crazy Marbury and continuing to negotiate with him/his agent. No need to give in now.

if you think Marbury about collecting paychecks you havent followed him. He's a basketball player and has a lot of pride. Lets see what happens. No need to rush. Waiving him is knee jerk.

Waive Jerome, Malik and Mardy who have no role or future here.