Report: Arrest warrant issued for Knicks' Curry

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - A Chicago judge Thursday issued an arrest warrant for the Knicks' Eddy Curry for failing to appear in Cook County court Thursdayfor a hearing involving a civil suit, according to The Associated Press.

Curry, who has been working out at the MSG Training Center, was in New York yesterday.

Curry allegedly failed to make payments on a settlement with ex-girlfriend Christina White. Last year he was ordered to make a $197,000 payment, according to a rerport in the Chicago Tribune.

Curry has picked up his player option for next season, which locks in an $11.2-million salary.

In May, a New York judge ordered Curry to pay $75,000 a month plus interest for a $570,000 personal loan to a Las Vegas-based lender. Curry's lawyers argued that he couldn't pay back the loan - which he took out in 2008 and came with a reported 85 percent interest - but a judge chastised Curry for lavish personal expenses, such as $6,000 per month for a chef and several luxury cars.

Court documents said Curry also owes $350,000 to NBA veteran Juwan Howard, who financed a personal loan to Curry.

The Knicks had no comment on Curry's latest personal issue. Coach Mike D'Antoni said Curry has been working out at the team's practice facility and is close to being cleared to participate in basketball activities. Curry was limited to seven games this past season because of a tear in the myofascial band in his right calf.

"I think he's sneaking and playing someplace else," D'Antoni said. "But he's here every day working hard and his weight's good. Hopefully, this next week, we'll get him on the court."

There have been reports that Curry has talked with the Knicks' prime free-agent target, LeBron James. The two players share the same agent, Leon Rose, and also are connected to NBA attaché William "Worldwide Wes" Wesley. There was a report that James had talked to Curry about getting together this summer to work out.

D'Antoni had soured on Curry during the past two years, mainly because of Curry's conditioning issues, but since Curry's effort to lose weight, D'Antoni has been much more supportive. In fact, when asked if he expects Curry to be part of the team next season, D'Antoni quickly replied, "Oh, yeah."

The Knicks still could try to package Curry as an expiring contract to acquire a bigger contract, but his financial issues should motivate him to work for another contract. The Knicks hope that might result in his return to the form he showed in 2006-07, when he averaged 18 points and seven rebounds per game.

The Dolan family owns

controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.