The long, strange saga of Starbury may be nearing its close. The New York Post is reporting that the inactive guard and Donnie Walsh met yesterday to discuss the buyout that's been the most sensible end to the Marbury era in New York. But, like everything else involving Marbury, this isn't as simple as it would seem.
The Knicks aren't looking to buyout his contract because they've decided it does them no good to have Marbury wearing a suit on the bench, but because they need to have someone who can play to replace Danilo Gallinari on the bench. The rookie's back injury is still being investigated, but he won't be playing for them anytime soon. The Knicks have Marbury and Eddy Curry collecting checks for not playing and Jared Jeffries rehabbing a broken leg, which means they don't have anyone to put in uniform.
They could play Marbury, of course, but, short of a boiler explosion at the weekly backcourt poker game, that ain't happening. Walsh would probably like to see him play, if only because it might cause someone to make a trade play for him, but also because he loathes the idea of paying $21.9 million to someone who won't play a minute for the team. Marbury has been steadfast about not taking a dime less than he's owed, but he asked Walsh for permission to speak with other teams according to the report. Also, a union lawyer is in on his meetings with Walsh, indicating that there are serious matters being discussed.
If he can set up a landing spot - Miami, the Clippers and Boston are all rumored to be interested - he might be willing to leave a little money on the table. Finding that new job might be tough, though, as Marbury doesn't have an agent to negotiate for him. It's likely that such representation would have made this whole issue disappear much quicker. An agent, after all, would realize that playing this season will lead to a contract for next season which leads to more cash for client and, voila, agent.
At any rate, things seem to be moving to an actual resolution. That probably means something to make it more difficult will crop up over the weekend, but, for now, there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
