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Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

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  • Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-275545c.html

    BY FRANK ISOLA
    DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

    Allan Houston's agent confirmed yesterday that his client has no intention of retiring, but William Strickland acknowledged that several key recent developments increase the "probability" that Houston's career in New York is over.
    As of last night, the Knicks still were finalizing a deal that would send Kurt Thomas to the Phoenix Suns for small forward Quentin Richardson. The Knicks also would receive a conditional first-round pick in the trade, giving them five first-round picks in the next two drafts. The deal, which paves the way for the Knicks to release Houston and save $40million in luxury tax under a provision in the new collective bargaining agreement, is expected to be made official on Monday.

    "Given that amnesty provision, it increases the chances that something could happen," Strickland said over the telephone. "But I do not believe that Allan will retire. He's worked too hard to get back. He still wants to play."

    If and when Houston is released, he would become an unrestricted free agent. And if he proves himself to be healthy, the veteran shooting guard should draw interest from contending teams that are in the market for an accomplished outside shooter. Miami, Detroit, Houston, Denver and San Antonio are teams that would love to have Houston coming off their bench. Indiana, which is a short drive from Houston's hometown of Louisville, also is an option.

    An arthritic left knee has limited Houston to 70 games over the past two seasons. Last season, Knicks president Isiah Thomas stunned Houston by publicly suggesting that retirement is an option that the veteran guard should consider. Houston, who has been with the Knicks for nine years, has maintained all along that he will not quit. He also believes that, considering Antonio McDyess overcame a similar injury to become a contributing player for the Pistons, he shouldn't call it a career just yet.

    Even if Houston were to retire, the Knicks would not be eligible for a medical exception because the rule applies only to players who appeared in 10 or fewer games. Houston, who will earn $39 million over the next two years, played 20games last season.

    Instead, the Knicks and Houston likely will have to part ways by exercising the one-time only provision in the new CBA. Releasing Houston would erase the last piece from the great Knick teams of the late '90s through 2001.

    Houston hit one of the biggest shots in franchise history when his last-second leaner eliminated the Miami Heat in Game5 in 1999. Houston's Game6 that year against Indiana, in which he scored 32 points to send the Knicks to the NBA Finals, was one of the greatest clutch performances in team history.

    "Ultimately, Allan believes he will be back," Strickland said. "He has pride and he puts his faith in God. I will never doubt him."

  • #2
    Re: Allen Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

    Another Houston article

    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/25/sp...pagewanted=all

    Knicks Want Assurance on Richardson's Health

    By HOWARD BECK
    Published: June 25, 2005

    The Knicks' planned trade of Kurt Thomas - and other decisions that are likely to hinge upon it - is on hold and will probably not be resolved this weekend.

    The Knicks had agreed to deal Thomas, their sturdy power forward, to the Phoenix Suns for the swingman Quentin Richardson and a first-round draft pick. The trade stalled when the Suns failed to furnish insurance papers on Richardson, specifically in regard to a back injury he sustained while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Richardson missed 17 games in the final month of the 2003-4 season because of the back injury. The Clippers' concerns over the injury reportedly contributed to their decision to let him leave as a free agent last summer. Richardson played 79 games for the Suns last season, averaging 35.9 minutes.

    The Knicks were still awaiting the insurance paperwork yesterday, and team officials indicated that they did not expect the deal to be consummated this weekend. If the paperwork is not provided, it is likely the deal will be canceled.

    Knicks officials have declined to comment publicly on the proposed deal, and yesterday, Isiah Thomas, the team president, canceled a scheduled conference call with reporters for a second straight day.

    The uncertainty could muddle the Knicks' planning for Tuesday night's draft. At the moment, the Knicks are searching for a legitimate center and an athletic wing player. Dealing Thomas for Richardson would fulfill the latter need and make the former more acute.

    It is conceivable the Knicks will draft a big man - Arizona's Channing Frye or Fran Vázquez of Spain - regardless of the trade. But if they fail to acquire Richardson, the Knicks may be more inclined to take a guard or forward when they make the eighth selection. Possible targets include Hakim Warrick of Syracuse, Antoine Wright of Texas A&M and two high school prospects, Gerald Green and Martell Webster.

    The Knicks also hold the 30th and 54th selections. The pick they would acquire from the Suns in the Thomas deal would be in 2007 or later.

    The Knicks are also preparing for the free-agent market. Negotiations with players begin July 1, although no contracts can be signed until July 23, after the league adopts its new collective-bargaining agreement.

    Somewhere along the way, the Knicks will presumably hire a coach - they are expected to contact Detroit's Larry Brown soon - and determine the fate of Allan Houston, their hobbled shooting guard.

    The new labor deal will allow each team to waive one player without paying the luxury tax on his salary, and cutting Houston could save the Knicks nearly $40 million. It is not, however, a given that the Knicks will make that move.

    Team officials would prefer that Houston simply retire. An incurable arthritic condition in his left knee makes him a logical candidate for a medical retirement. But Houston, who played just 20 games last season, is determined to make a comeback. He was working out at the team's training center in Greenburgh, N.Y., on Thursday.

    The Knicks could be embarrassed if they cut Houston - and pay the $39.8 million left on his contract - only to watch him sign a minimum-salary deal with an Eastern Conference contender like the Miami Heat.

    So team officials intend to monitor Houston's progress throughout the summer before deciding whether to take the tax windfall.
    -----

    I would like what I highlited to happen, only Houston sign a minimum contract with the Pacers instead of Miami, then stick it to New York in the playoffs with Houston starring!

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

      The question is:

      Assume that one guy will accept the vet minimum. Whom do you give it to, Dale Davis or Allen Houston?

      I know Peck's answer. Mine would be the same.
      The poster "pacertom" since this forum began (and before!). I changed my name here to "Slick Pinkham" in honor of the imaginary player That Bobby "Slick" Leonard picked late in the 1971 ABA draft (true story!).

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Allen Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

        i just find this new one time special waiver fascinating.....knowing what wrestling must be going on in some of these organizations minds....

        though with the knicks i dont think its as big a deal....though they wouldnt admit it.....theyre not a contender....they will struggle to make the playoffs, best case scenario....so having allan go to miami, the pacers, detroit or whomever might be a bit embarassing, but worth the 40 million in savings....

        now dallas on the other hand, with finley, should they decide to let him go....then have him go to phoenix or san antonio...well....now that would be a really harsh blow....preferably id like to save cuban the embarassment and take finley and thereby making it easier for him

        of course the same holds true for us and say austin....he ends up in detroit or miami....and well.....if he plays it might suck....thats the real deal for us....could austin play much on a miami or detroit....miami-probably....detroit...not likely....plus , austin might very well go someplace like the lakers to go back home....so.....

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

          Not sure how the Pacers could stick it to the Knicks in the playoffs. Knicks ain't going to the playoffs anytime soon.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

            Do we really need another player with bad knees?

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

              Assuming Hulk comes back healthy and ready to contribute, and we keep Artest, I'd take Houston over DD. And I like DD. But we need some shooters.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                Originally posted by Unclebuck
                Not sure how the Pacers could stick it to the Knicks in the playoffs. Knicks ain't going to the playoffs anytime soon.
                If we follow through with this KT deal we aren't - be three years at least IMO.

                Otherwise we'd have a shot if a coach could get us to D up.
                The poster formerly known as Rimfire

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                  I'd like to get him, but, I don't want to give up DD.
                  Super Bowl XLI Champions
                  2000 Eastern Conference Champions




                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                    I would chose DD. We also better be keeping JJ. You talk of needing a shooter, well we have one who needs more minutes.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                      I'd take Allen Houston over Dale Davis anyday. I don't know what kind of crack you're smoking when you say Dale Davis. Yeah, Dale's nice to have. He is a fan favorite because of his time here, but I mean come on. A 34 year old Houston with bad knees is better than a 36 year old Davis that has lost a step or two. Yeah, Dale's nice to have because of his toughness, and the fact that he's a shot blocker and can rebound. But he doesn't do any of that great, he's not even a great defender anymore.

                      Allen Houston may not be the player he once was, but the fact remains, he's a scorer that can hit threes, and even now he can light it up. When will Dale Davis provide much needed scoring? Never.

                      We've still got the option of keeping Dale AND gaining Houston, but don't kid yourselves on this one. We need scoring, not an old Dale Davis that is lucky to get 5 rebounds in a game.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                        Originally posted by Ragnar
                        I would chose DD. We also better be keeping JJ. You talk of needing a shooter, well we have one who needs more minutes.
                        I like JJ. But at this point he's a spot up shooter only. Fairly easy to defend. Besides, we need more than 1 mere mortal to replace Reg!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                          Originally posted by Fig Newton
                          I'd take Allen Houston over Dale Davis anyday. I don't know what kind of crack you're smoking when you say Dale Davis. Yeah, Dale's nice to have. He is a fan favorite because of his time here, but I mean come on. A 34 year old Houston with bad knees is better than a 36 year old Davis that has lost a step or two. Yeah, Dale's nice to have because of his toughness, and the fact that he's a shot blocker and can rebound. But he doesn't do any of that great, he's not even a great defender anymore.

                          Allen Houston may not be the player he once was, but the fact remains, he's a scorer that can hit threes, and even now he can light it up. When will Dale Davis provide much needed scoring? Never.

                          We've still got the option of keeping Dale AND gaining Houston, but don't kid yourselves on this one. We need scoring, not an old Dale Davis that is lucky to get 5 rebounds in a game.

                          On the other hand.......... if we get a healthy David Harrison, Jamaal Tinsley, Fred Jones and Jon Bender back, AND keep Artest, play Jax at his better #2 spot and get minutes for JJ - we might NOT need any more shooters.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                            Originally posted by PacerMan
                            On the other hand.......... if we get a healthy David Harrison, Jamaal Tinsley, Fred Jones and Jon Bender back, AND keep Artest, play Jax at his better #2 spot and get minutes for JJ - we might NOT need any more shooters.
                            Just because someone can shoot does not make them a shooter. Jax is a streaky shooter, Ron Artest is a selfish shooter, Bender isn't a great shooter, nor is Fred or James. James Jones is to timid actually, and Fred is to inconsistant. Houston would be our best shooter if he came to the Pacers.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Allan Houstons agent names Indiana as an Option

                              I'd choose DD. As long as we have Jack and Freddie, I don't see any help that we need at the 2.

                              Comment

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