Report: Knicks' Chauncey Billups Would Rather Retire Than Leave New York

By: Tyler Ward

Reports have surfaced that Billups will retire if he is waived by the Knicks, according to his agent, Andy Miller.

The Knicks are expected to cut Billups to free up salary cap space to sign Tyson Chandler, one of the biggest free agent names in this year's class. Chandler helped the Mavericks to their first ever NBA Championship last season and was looking to team up with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.

Billups is scheduled to make $14.2 million this season and the Knicks are expected to use their one-time amnesty clause to free up cap space. If released, Billups would go to the waiver wire, once released.

Billups' agent said of Billups, "But I wouldn't be surprised if Chauncey retired rather than play for a team he wouldn't want to play for. He doesn't need the money, his kids are getting to an age where he wants to be an active participant, and he doesn't need the frustration and instability he's constantly dealing with. So he may choose not to play."

"Chauncey's pissed off, but he's not pissed at the Knicks," Miller continued. "He understands it's a business and they have to do what they have to do."

"But he's in a very frustrated state of mind because this has happened to him twice now," he said. "The way the league is structured, if you're a hot name and teams have interest in you, you have the ability to manufacture mass hysteria, and guys like Chauncey who put in years of high-level leadership, production, and service get lost."

Miller said that his client brought up the retirement after it was reported that the Knicks were virtually close to signing Chandler.

In order for the Knicks to sign Chandler, the 14-year veteran would need to be released.

Billups also didn't want to be traded last season when he was a member of the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets traded Billups before the trade deadline last season to the Knicks, as part of the Carmelo Anthony blockbuster trade.

According to multiple reports, Billups may not be the only player to be released to make room for Chandler. Sources have told ESPN's Ric Bucher that the Knicks have been offering forward Ronny Turiaf and $3 million to multiple teams across the league to free up more cap space.

Billups' agent has stated that there are quite a few teams that are interested in the former All-Star, but nothing has come into fruition.

Miller would continue to tell reporters that "it's been a very trying time for Chauncey."

"He enjoyed the city life in New York and had no gripes about his time there. But if he's picked up in a situation he doesn't want, maybe he retires, or he retires for one year, I don't know," Miller said. "If he can't choose his destiny and he's only there for 66 games, I think he'd much rather stay at home until the season is over."

There are quite a few teams in the market for a point guard and if Billups decides not to retire, it is almost undoubtedly certain that the 35-year-old will land somewhere else.

Such teams that could express interest in Billups include Sacramento, Toronto, New Orleans, Cleveland, Memphis, Minnesota, Utah, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami and Detroit.

Billups won a championship with the Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. The team is considered to be one of the best defensive teams in NBA history that also featured Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamiltion, among others.

Billups has career numbers of 15.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game. He also has a lifetime shooting percentage of 41.7 percent.

The former All-Star has also played for Boston, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, Detroit, and New York.

Report: Knicks Close To Signing Tyson Chandler; Warriors Also Want Him

By: Tyler Ward

Reports have surfaced Thursday that the New York Knicks are extremely close to signing center Tyson Chandler, who was one of the heroes on the Mavericks' championship squad last season.

According to a source close to Chandler, "New York is Tyson's first choice. It's 98 percent sure that Tyson is going to end up with the Knicks."

Additionally, the Knicks seem to be ahead of the Golden State Warriors in acquiring Chandler. The Warriors have publicly stated that Chandler is their main priority and they will do whatever it takes to sign the big man.

To create cap space to sign Chandler, the Knicks will either have to trade or use the new amnesty clause on point guard Chauncey Billups and center Ronny Turiaf.

Signing Chandler could also free up cap space for the Knicks to offer forward Amare Stoudemire to the New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, who has been subject to trade talks over the last few weeks. Paul apparently wants to badly reunite with Chandler, who he played with in New Orleans.

That's just one option that the Knicks are considering and it could very well happen.

To counter the Knicks, the Warriors are prepared to offer Chandler a four-year deal worth approximately $60 million, in hopes of cutting them out of the picture. But Chandler is still dead-set on going to the Big Apple and it could happen very, very soon.

It is very unlikely that the Mavericks will retain Chandler and they have been acting like he's already gone and he will not be on the roster when they play their first game later this month.

According to a report, the Mavericks offered Chandler to the Magic in a complicated sign-and-trade deal for center Dwight Howard, who like Paul, has been subject to many trade talks recently.

However, no one on the Mavericks, mainly owner Mark Cuban, has said that Chandler will not return to the Mavericks, but with contract talks currently stalled, there really isn't any doubt that Chandler won't return to Dallas.

But it looks like that Chandler won't return because the Mavericks are trying to have as much cap space in 2012, when players like Deron Williams, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul will hit the free agency market.

Mark Cuban and Co. are also trying to have some cap flexibility when their franchise player, Dirk Nowitzki, becomes a free agent somewhere down the road.

So, as of right now, the Mavericks will likely open the season without Chandler and it seems as though that the Knicks will be the ones to land Chandler's services.

And if Chandler lands with the Knicks, the one question that remains is: Will the Knicks land Chris Paul, if they acquire Chandler?

As stated above, Paul and Chandler want to play together and it will possibly take Amare Stoudemire to sweeten the deal. So if the Knicks are able to do what they want to do, they will be looking at a team that features Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler.

It may not be like Miami's Big Three, but they should be able to challenge the Heat and eventually be part of the Eastern Conference's supremacy.

Two sources close to Chandler apparently told ESPN.com, "He's not coming back."

New York Knicks Vs. Boston Celtics (Game 2) 4/19/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

New York Knicks Vs. Boston Celtics (Game 1) 4/17/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Carmelo Anthony: Top 10 Plays Of The 2010-11 Season

By: Stephen Patterson

New York Knicks Vs. Boston Celtics 4/13/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Chicago Bulls Vs. New York Knicks 4/12/11 (Hihglights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Carmelo Anthony Sinks Game-Winner Over Indiana

By: Stephen Patterson

Amare Stoudemire: Top 10 Plays Of The 2010-11 Season

By: Stephen Patterson

Which play by Amare was your favorite from this season?

Be sure to share your favorite after you check out this video:

New York Knick Vs. Indiana Pacers 4/10/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

ESPN Sport Science: Amare Stoudemire Edition (Video)

By: Stephen Patterson

New York Knicks Vs. New Jersey Nets 4/8/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

New York Knicks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers 4/6/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Toronto Raptors Vs. New York Knicks 4/5/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Knicks Better Cavaliers; Clinch First Playoff Berth Since 2004

By: Tyler Ward

The drought is finally over.

The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 123-107, clinching their first playoff berth since the 2003-04 season.

Amare Stoudemire led the Knicks with 28 points and seven rebounds. Carmelo Anthony added 25 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups scored 23 points and dished out seven assists.

When asked about the playoff berth, Stoudamire said, "That was the goal we set at the start of the season. The plan was to make the playoffs. It's mission accomplished and now on to the next one."

Prior to tonight's win, the Knicks had lost eleven straight game against the Cavaliers. They finally came out on top.

The Knicks are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, just one-and-a-half games behind the Sixers for the sixth spot. They face the Sixers later this week, in what is sure to be good game.

With the win, the Timberwolves now hold the longest playoff drought - they were tied with the Knicks.

The last time New York appeared in the playoffs, they were swept in four games by the Nets in 2004.

It would have been weird for Carmelo Anthony if the Knicks hadn't made the playoffs. Anthony had been to the postseason every single season of his career and for him not to make it would have been odd.

"I think everybody should be excited that Knicks basketball is back, that the standards are higher now and every year this is something we should be looking forward to, which is making the playoffs," Anthony said.

The Knicks will likely face either Boston or Miami in the opening round, and they are hoping that their "Big Three" can match up against Miami's or Boston's versions.

J.J. Hickson scored 23 points for the Cavs, as Baron Davis also added 22 points.

The Knicks are now 38-38, while the Cavaliers are a league-worst 15-61.

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. New York Knicks 4/3/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

A Look Back: Stephon Marbury Eats Vaseline & Cries

By: Stephen Patterson

Question of the Day: What drug(s) was Stephon Marbury on at the time these videos were filmed?

Vaseline:

Crying:

New Jersey Nets vs. New York Knicks 3/30/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

New York Knicks Vs. Orlando Magic 03/28/2011 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

The New York Knicks finally got the much-needed victory they have battled for in recent games, picking up a 113-106 win in overtime against the Orlando Magic last night to end a six-game losing streak.

It took Melo's best game as a Knick, a 39 point and 10 rebound performance, but the Knicks got the job done and did so against a playoff-tested team in the Magic.

The Knicks are looking to make their first trip to the postseason since 2004, and were desperate for a victory after losing nine out their past ten games.

New York is just 8-12 since acquiring Anthony in the mega-deal of the season, but if they can get things right and get on the same page, the Knicks could be a dangerous first round match-up in the playoffs for a team like the Boston Celtics or Miami Heat.

Orlando, on the other hand, is slowly falling away from the championship-contending team from a couple of seasons ago.

If they can't fix things in the offseason and finally appease Dwight Howard, the Magic could be the next franchise forced to move their superstar player next season.

With Howard eligible for free agency after next season, I think Orlando might have to move him if they think he is going to walk in the summer.

Losses like this one, despite his own contributions 29 points and 18 rebounds, aren't convincing him to stick around and chase titles with the Magic.

Knicks, Nuggets Trade Talks Heating Up?

By: Stephen Patterson

It appears talks are heating up between the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets over a potential blockbuster move that would send Carmelo Anthony to the Big Apple. The Knicks have maintained interest in acquiring Anthony since they failed to land LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh in free agency. According to a report by ESPN, the Knicks have made "significant progress in recent days" in their discussions with the Nuggets.

The Nuggets know that Anthony will likely walk away in free agency after the season, as he has told them on more than one occasion that he isn't interested in signing an extension to remain with the team. After watching Cleveland and Toronto get crushed by the impacts of losing their franchise players in free agency, I can't envision Denver being willing to take the same gamble. There are enough teams out there that would love to have Carmelo, and one of them will eventually pry him away before the February trade deadline, although it will likely happen much sooner rather than later. 

One of the main reasons the two teams are reportedly progressing in talks is because the Knicks are now more willing to include Danilo Gallinari in a potential deal. The Knicks' main offer has always centered around Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry, and a first round draft pick. New York believes they can move Randolph and/or Gallinari to a third team in an effort to get another player that Denver values more than either of the Knicks' forwards, according to the report. If they can make such a move, and still acquire a first round pick, I think New York will become the front-runners in the chase to land Melo.

When Anthony first made his request to be traded, he gave the team a list of destinations that he would prefer being traded to, which included the Knicks. Amare Stoudemire, the new face of the Knicks' franchise, has definitely expressed his interest in the potential of playing alongside Anthony on one of the NBA's biggest stages. The Knicks know they need to land another superstar player if they want to improve to the point of being in real contention in the Eastern Conference, and Melo is definitely the best option being discussed in any current trade rumors. If they are able to land Anthony, the Knicks will instantly become competitors in a stacked conference including Miami, Orlando, Boston, and Chicago.

Their was a potential four-team trade that was discussed last month involving the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Bobcats, and Denver where Anthony would've landed with the Nets, but those talks deteriorated and fell apart. It appears New Jersey is no longer in the running to land Melo, as they now value Derrick Favors too much to part with him in any potential trade. The Bulls are also still in the running to land Anthony, although their chances are low after signing Joakim Noah to an extension (meaning he's not going anywhere). Without Noah involved in the offer, I can't see the Bulls putting together a package attractive enough for the Nuggets to bite.

The Knicks offer will likely be the best one the Nuggets will receive for Anthony, as there are almost never trades with a player of his caliber involved that end with both sides landing equal value (not that this trade is equal, but it will probably be the closest thing to it that Denver gets since every team in the league knows Anthony wants out). Eddy Curry likely won't make any impact at all for the Nuggets, as he has become essentially useless to a basketball team over the past few seasons, but his expiring contract does outweigh his massive shortcomings in recent years (barely). Draft choices are always a wanted commodity for teams, especially when they are coming from New York, even if they belong to another team. The player that the Knicks will acquire to package with Curry and the first rounder will be the X-Factor in the move, but the team seems confident they can make the deal happen.

If New York does land Carmelo Anthony, I'd expect them to win about 8-10 more games than they would have without him this season. With several teams like Cleveland, Charlotte, and Toronto all taking steps backward from last season, it's almost a certainty a Knicks' team led by Anthony and Stoudemire would at least be good enough to land one of the lower seeds in the postseason. However, the Knicks likely need a few more key role players and/or another star before they can be considered serious threats to teams like the Heat, Celtics, Magic, or Bulls in the postseason. There have been rumors off and on over the past few months about Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs joining Amare and Melo in New York to form their own "Big Three", and if Anthony lands in New York, I'd only expect those to rumors to intensify later in the season.