Steve Francis Buyout Watch

so by your definition, 2 years at 33 million is way better than 3 years at 18??? We would lose Alston who would be great back up for Francis....and why would you assume Francis would ask for the MLE...why would we give him that anyways...when he is bought out, anything he signs for goes against that amount...meaning if New York bought him out for 30 mil and we signed him for the MLE than the MLE helps New York pay for the rest of his contract...much like what Spurs did with Finley...the best way to go is to sign him for Vet min...we need any depth we can get....Alston and Howard aren't the greatest but unless we all of a sudden get the option of getting two players that would fit into the rotation better...better not just give them up for someting you can have anyways...
-V

 

More on the behind the scenes SF buyout in this article.

http://thebigpush.info/2007-5-8.htm

Isiah Thomas wasn't too happy New York didn't make the playoffs this year. That's an understatement in countless ways. But Thomas has to be ecstatic his inaugural season roaming the sidelines for the Knicks is finally behind him.

Besides, he's got more than enough drama to occupy his time this summer. And in the next few months Thomas moves from one court to another where the outcome could be equally ugly.

While someone saw fit to reward Thomas and his 33 coaching victories with one vote for coach of the year balloting (yes, it's true....one third place vote), Thomas can only hope those in the judicial system are more choosey.

A trial date is set for September 10, in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, for a sexual-harassment suit against Thomas filed by former Knicks marketing chief Anucha Browne-Sanders. The trial could last nearly two weeks which means Thomas should be ready for the opening of Knicks training camp October 1st in South Carolina.

To keep himself busy awaiting his court date, Thomas, like so many of us, is likely busy sorting out all of the Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal to New York trade talks that have surfaced recently.

Jermaine O'Neal has reportedly asked for a trade from the rebuilding Indiana Pacers to the New York Knicks in hopes of reuniting with his mentor and former coach in Indiana, Isiah Thomas. O'Neal is on the block. Thomas is day-dreaming. And Larry Bird is on the fence.

Kevin Garnett's name is also circulating in offseason rumors to New York.

Some media outlets are calling for Thomas to pursue the "Big Ticket" in a package deal with Minnesota that could include David Lee among other Knicks of Thomas' choosing. There is no word if Larry Bird has called Kevin McHale yet to put the kibosh on that speculated trade.

But it makes sense, right?

Kevin Garnett a Knick? Jermaine O'Neal in New York?

And you thought the rumors about Isiah Thomas dating Tyra Banks were hard to believe.

Zeke certainly has his hands full to say the least.

But even more than his pending sexual-harassment charges or talk of obtaining one of two perennial All-Stars, there is crucial offseason facet Thomas must embrace: buying out Steve Francis.

If it isn't already, buying out Francis' contract should be priority number one for the New York Knicks this offseason and Thomas should sharpen his pencil and cross it off the list fast.

Talk of the Thomas-Francis negotiations surfaced back in early January after Francis opted to rehab his right knee tendonitis in Houston with John Lucas. After a month of believed discussions, Thomas and Francis couldn't agree on a buyout for the $33 million owed to Francis over the next two years. Francis returned to the team. Thomas returned to denying multiple talks even took place between Thomas, Francis, and Francis' agent Jeff Fried.

According to a source close to the Knicks ( who noted a Francis buyout this summer is a given), Francis chose to workout in Houston so he could be near former Rockets teammate Yao Ming, who was rehabbing from a broken bone in his right knee at the time. It was Francis inclination to build a possible passage, via the "Great Wall of China", to Houston if a buyout was reached in New York. Once Jeff Van Gundy caught ear of it (not a big proponent of Francis. Van Gundy was vocal about trading Francis to Orlando), all bets were off.

Shortly after, Francis returned to New York claiming he wanted to be around his teammates but admitted he was calling it a season. His knee was too sore. Continuing small amounts of rehab was a solution. Playing as little as 10 minutes a night wasn't.

That all changed on February 26th against the Miami Heat. After a win over the Heat at the Garden, Jamal Crawford's season ended (playing 33 seconds in the second to last game of the season doesn't count) with a fractured ankle and eventually surgery.

Almost over night, Francis was miraculously healed and back in action for the Knicks. Chatter of hanging them up was suddenly replaced by available playing time. The comeback was short lived. Over the next few months, Francis was in and out of Thomas' lineup for one reason or another. If it wasn't his knee then it was a sprained ankle he injured by over dribbling. Francis averaged 11.3 points per game, shot only 40% from the field, and played in only 44 games this season for the Knicks.

It was his lowest appearance total in his seven year career.

Francis' suspect injuries and bleak production is one thing. Stunting the growth of some young Knicks is something else. In the final weeks of the season rookie guard Mardy Collins impressed Thomas enough to the point where the Knicks head coach admitted he will consider including Collins in his future backcourt plans. This makes both Nate Robinson and Steve Francis expendable.

Robinson, who fell out of favor with Thomas this season, will certainly be part of a trade at some point this summer. And rumors resurfaced of Francis' contract buyout well before players cleared out their lockers at the end of the year.

Francis' name has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angles Clippers most recently in both trade scenarios and in anticipation he'd be picked up on waivers. And in the course of the offseason both team will certainly consider adding the veteran point guard to their offseason wish list.

Regardless of Thomas' extensive history in waiving obnoxious contracts (see Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor), you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would vote against adding Francis' bank to the books in New York. Call it a necessary evil.

With speculation now a reality and a contract buyout becoming unavoidable for Steve Francis, a hectic summer for Isiah Thomas is one step closer to being drama free.

 

Bring him to HOUSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KG or Yao
Melvin
Tmac
Wells
Francis/alston

 

If this is true, maybe the JVG firing opens the door for a Francis signing.

 

I don't think so. I think Francis has less of a chance returning now that JVG is gone.

 

okay....

 

There is a huge chance of Steve returning to Houston if the Rockets trade McGrady to the Clippers for Elton Brand and Steve's life partner Cuttino Mobley.

 

Don't get me excited. Because I'd take a trade along those lines. (If you included f****ng Juwan Howard in the mix, especially.)

 

I think I would too. Elton and Yao in the post would be deadly.

 

If overdribbling causes ankle injuries to SF, then he's gotta be in need of a transplant by now.

 

That makes no sense. JVG would not want to coach francis again, Francis would be much happier playing for a differnt houston coach.

 

What? That makes no sense whatsoever.

 

Why would he do that when he could just sign with the Clippers?

 

That sucks

Rocket River

 

What's the price Knicks is willing to pay to trade Francis? if David Lee is included, then maybe Rockets can trade some contracts to them? (Juwan, Sura + Snyder/VSpan)?

 

David Lee is what Yao Ming is to us. Well not really, but he will not be traded for trash.

 

Francis in not coming to the Rockets, he is a max player with declining skills possibly due to injuries. It is simply not possible or logical. I don't understand why this "watch" continues. It must be a reflection of how truly awful Rafer is percieved to be. The fans are desperate for change at the PG and PF positions, problem areas that should have been addressed two or three seasons ago.

 

It depends how desperate they want to unload Steve's contract. VSpan may actually help them, Juwan is a solid professional which is probably they can use in the locker room, plus his contract can be used as trade bit next summer.

 

Could this be a trick Knicsk are playing? Trying to bait some team to make a trade with them???