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Knicks working with Suns on Steve Nash sign-and-trade

Knicks working with Suns on Steve Nash sign-and-trade

Steve Nash could be headed for a reunion with Amar’e Stoudemire as the Knicks and Phoenix Suns continue working on a sign-and-trade for the two time MVP point guard.

The proposed deal would include Iman Shumpert, a player the Knicks are reluctant to part with, as well as Toney Douglas and at least two other players. The trade is necessary in order for the Knicks to give Nash a contract comparable to the three-year, $36 million offer he received from the Toronto Raptors.

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News

Jeremy Lin and Greg Stiemsma withdraw from USA Men’s Select Team

Jeremy Lin

New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin and Boston Celtics center Greg Stiemsma have withdrawn from the 2012 USA Men’s Select Team that will train July 6-11 against the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during training camp in Las Vegas, Nev.

Lin informed USA Basketball this afternoon that because of his current contract status (a restricted free agent) he was withdrawing. Stiemsma was forced to withdraw after undergoing a non-surgical process for Plantar Fasciitis.

“Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to participate in the 2012 USA Men’s Select Team this summer,” said Lin.  “It was such an incredible honor to be selected, but I have withdrawn my name from the team because of my status as a free agent.  I hope to have the opportunity to participate with USA Basketball at some point in the future.”

Steve Nash meets with Knicks, Raptors

steve nash

The Knicks met with Steve Nash on Sunday knowing that they face an uphill battle in their pursuit of the future Hall of Fame point guard.

Nash also met with the Toronto Raptors on the first day of free agency and the club reportedly offered the Canadian citizen a three-year contract worth approximately $36 million.

The Knicks can only offer Nash a contract starting at $3 million annually unless they can engage the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade. It’s unlikely since the Suns seem more inclined to use the money freed up by Nash leaving to pursue other free agents. Phoenix president Lon Babby has set up meetings this week in Los Angeles with point guards Raymond Felton and Goran Dragic as well as shooting guard Eric Gordon.

Phoenix hasn’t entirely ruled out re-signing Nash but it seems more and more likely that the two-time MVP won’t return to the Suns.

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News

Knicks draft Kostas Papanikolaou of Greece

The Knicks looked to the future Thursday on draft night, selecting Kostas Papanikolaou of Greece with the 48th overall pick. It was a decision that disappointed many fans because Papanikolaou, a 6-foot-8 forward, will probably play overseas for at least two years.

Last season, Papanikolaou played for Olympiacos. He helped the team beat C.S.K.A. Moscow, 62-61, in the Turkish Euroleague championship game.

Papanikolaou averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. He is also a member of Greece’s Olympic national team.

“He plays hard and he’s highly skilled,” General Manager Glen Grunwald said. “He needs to improve his shooting, but we watched him improve over the course of this year.”

Papanikolaou will not join the team during its summer league games next month in Las Vegas because he still has one year left on his contract.

— Reported by Nate Taylor and Howard Beck of the New York Times

Mark Jackson was victim of an extortion scheme

STATEMENT FROM GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

In response to media inquiries, Golden State Warriors Head Coach Mark Jackson today confirmed that he and his family were the victims of an extortion scheme attempting to blackmail them in exchange for money. The suspects were arrested on June 25 by the FBI.

Jackson informed the Warriors of the extortion scheme in late April – three weeks after his first encounter with the extortionist – and solicited help from the organization.  At that point, Jackson and the Warriors immediately contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Although not condoning his previous actions that led to the extortion attempt, the Warriors fully support Coach Jackson during this time and thank law enforcement authorities and the FBI for their prompt assistance in helping Coach Jackson and his family.

Due to the fact that this is an ongoing legal matter, the Warriors will have no further comment at this time.

Former NBA player Pat Cummings dead at 55

Pat Cummings, who played with five NBA teams over a 12-year career after being selected Metro Conference Player of the Year at Cincinnati, was found dead in a New York apartment, according to police. He was 55.

The 6-foot-9 Cummings, a native of Johnstown, Pa., was found Tuesday afternoon, police said Wednesday. They said the cause of death was to be determined but foul play wasn’t suspected…

He was drafted by Milwaukee in the third round and was traded to Dallas in 1982. He signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent in 1984 and also played for Miami and Utah.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Donnie Walsh taking job with Indiana Pacers

Ex-Knicks president Donnie Walsh, ousted by Garden chairman Jim Dolan last June after he was offered a 40% pay cut, is returning to the Indiana Pacers.

Walsh, the long-time Indiana CEO before he came to New York to rebuild the Knicks, will be leading the Pacers in their efforts to land free agents starting when the period opens Sunday, league sources said Monday. The team’s No. 1 priority is to re-sign point guard George Hill, a restricted free agent, and sources said Walsh will be spearheading the team’s efforts to keep Hill.

Walsh, 71, has a close relationship with Pacers owner Herb Simon and has been attending the team’s pre-draft workouts in recent weeks.

— Reported by Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News

Players Association wins Early Bird Rights ruling. But, NBA will appeal

Here is now Jeremy Lin got NBA contract Bird Rights 

The NBPA ANNOUNCED:

Arbitrator Kenneth Dam today affirmed the National Basketball Players Association’s position that players claimed off waivers retain their valuable “Bird” and “Early Bird” rights when they become free agents. As a result of the arbitrator’s decision, Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak of the New York Knicks will enter the 2012-13 free agency period with “Early Bird” rights, and Chauncey Billups of the Los Angeles Clippers and J.J. Hickson of the Portland Trailblazers will enter the 2012-13 free agency period with full “Bird” rights. Future players claimed off waivers will likewise benefit from today’s ruling.

“Bird and Early Bird rights are the lynchpin of our Soft Cap system, and we’re pleased that Professor Dam recognized that a player does not forfeit these important rights unless he makes an affirmative decision to sign with a new team as a free agent,” NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter said. “Players fought hard for a Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows maximum flexibility for free agent players while also permitting teams to retain their core free agents, and today’s decision affirms both of these important principles.”

THE NBA LATER ANNOUNCED:

The NBA announced today that a decision has been issued in the recent arbitration proceeding brought by the Players Association on behalf of Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak, Chauncey Billups, and J.J. Hickson.  In that decision, arbitrator Kenneth Dam ruled that players who are claimed off of waivers have the same “Bird” or “Early Bird” rights that they would have if they were traded.  The NBA will appeal the ruling.

Knicks likely not high on Steve Nash list

steve nash

One confidant of Steve Nash doubts the star point guard will truly give the Knicks any consideration even if they have their $5 millon mid-level exception, despite his remarks at a promotional appearance with Walt Frazier yesterday.

Frazier joked at the Samsung event, “We need you to come to New York.’’

When asked later, Nash told ESPN, “The Knicks are a great franchise and I live in New York City [in the summer], so I’d definitely consider them if they were interested.”

The confidant said Nash doesn’t really believe the Knicks are close enough to a title to take less money and didn’t like how former coach Mike D’Antoni, his buddy from Phoenix, was treated. Nash will get offers for more than $5 million, especially from Phoenix.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post