Unlock the doors: NBA opens facilities to players

If the Knicks are looking to get a jump on what will be a short training camp, they finally have a gym at their disposal.

The NBA on Tuesday night reached an agreement with the NBA Players Association to open team facilities to the locked out players starting Thursday. Teams will be permitted to contact agents about players on Wednesday.

The league is still aiming to open training camp a week from Wednesday (Dec. 9), which gives players a little time to prepare. The free agency signing period is also expected to begin that day, which will make the first few days of camp hectic for players looking for teams and general managers trying to build teams.

The MSG Training Center will be available to the Knicks players, who are expected to arrive on Thursday for voluntary precamp workouts. We already know Carmelo Anthony is in town -- with the support of his superstar clique, which includes Chris Paul, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Melo's foundation delivered food to 900 needy families in Brooklyn today -- and center Ronny Turiaf on Monday began plans to head to New York from Europe.

Amar'e Stoudemire had been working out in Florida, along with rookie Iman Shumpert and unrestricted free agent Shawne Williams. All three will likely pack up and head north as quickly as possible.

Chauncey Billups has spent most of the lockout at his suburban Denver home and did not plan to return to New York until next week. But with the facilities now open, he may be motivated to move up his plans.

Toney Douglas, Landry Fields, Andy Rautins, Renaldo Balkman and second-round pick Josh Harrellson are all expected to get to New York by the weekend. It is still uncertain whether the Knicks will invite 2010 second round pick Jerome Jordan to camp. Jordan is currently playing in Slovenia.

Mike D'Antoni, or anyone on the coaching staff, can not be involved in these workouts.