Walsh speaks with Billups' agent
The Knicks' Chauncey Billups shoots over Boston's Rajon Rondo (9) during the first half of Monday's game in New York. (Mar. 21, 2011) Credit: AP
Donnie Walsh chatted before Monday night's game with agent Andy Miller, who represents Chauncey Billups. Miller said he has had "preliminary conversations'' with the Knicks about Billups' future with the team beyond this season, but at this point, "nothing specific'' has been addressed.
Billups, who turns 35 in September, has a $14.2-million team option on his contract for next season, with only $3.7 million guaranteed if the Knicks waive him within five days of the end of the NBA season.
The Knicks are expected to keep Billups for at least the final year of his contract. He could be a valuable asset as an expiring contract, especially if a team such as the Hornets looks to trade Chris Paul before he opts out for free agency in 2012.
But given the success of older point guards such as Jason Kidd and Steve Nash, the Knicks are strongly considering signing Billups to an extension at a reasonable price that would allow them to save salary-cap space in 2012 to address other needs through free agency.
"I think everything's open,'' Miller said. "We're not going to shut the door on any possibilities.''
Billups also has to be amenable to staying in New York; with his family in Denver, that remains a question.
Knicks fix
Shawne Williams played with a torn ligament in the middle finger of his shooting hand, an injury suffered in Sunday's loss in Milwaukee.
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