Crazy⑧s
Evacuee
The agent for David Lee would not rule out the possibility of his client being an unsigned contract holdout when Knicks training camp opens Sept. 28.
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In the NBA, it is almost unheard-of for players of Lee's stature to be camp holdouts.
"I certainly hope not, but you have to have an agreement," agent Mark Bartelstein told The Post yesterday. "I never thought we'd be this far without a deal. It comes down to making a deal. You have to ask [team president] Donnie [Walsh]."
"All we've agreed is if we can't do a sign-and-trade, we will work out a reasonable one-year deal," Bartelstein said.
Walsh did not return phone calls. Bartelstein said Lee will not accept the $2.5 million qualifying offer and dismissed rumblings Lee has been offered a one-year deal between $5 million and $6 million.
Bartelstein said there has yet been a firm offer but added Walsh is not pushing for Lee to sign the one-year qualifier. It would be a great embarrassment for the Knicks if they open camp with Lee unsigned.
"We haven't discussed those [one-year] numbers," Bartelstein said. "Is this disappointing? Every player would love to get a long-term deal, but they've made it clear they have plan in place for next season's [free agency]. They're entitled to have that plan."
Lee still is working out at the Knicks' facility, but if a deal isn't signed by Sept. 28, there is no way he will attend training camp in Saratoga. Bartelstein wouldn't let Lee compete for the U.S. Olympic team during its mini-camp in late July without a contract.
Meanwhile, unsigned Nate Robinson met with Walsh for less than an hour at their Westchester campus and discussed his status with the club. Robinson may have to accept the Knicks' one-year, $2.9 million qualifying offer.
Who is more stubborn Lee's side or Donnie's? Will Lee get desperate? Will someone swoop in and offer him something more appealing? ****ing beats me?!!
Either way, Donnie's off season roast is still rotating....
$2.9m for Nate is a bit rough considering Duhon's annual packet....
Mind you, it could well be an indication that room is being made for Sessions and that N8's future past 2010 is not on the minds of the powers that be...