Update on Houston: Knicks might offer him part of MLE

[Real]

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</td><td valign="top"><p class="textLarge"><span class="textSmall">2007-09-15 08:56:24 </span>
<span class="headerLarge">Knicks May Offer Houston Part of MLE</span>
Concerned they could lose a revived Allan Houston to their cross-river rivals, the Knicks are considering giving part of their mid-level exception to Houston, Al Iannazzone reports in The Record. The Knicks have all of their $5.4 million MLE available. The Nets and several other teams have offered Houston a training camp invite--a non-guaranteed, "make good" contract. Houston's agent has said that money and the term of a contract matter to the 6'-6" guard.

Knicks looking at Houston too - Al Iannazzone - The Record</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[Legacy]

Damn, first they steal Randolph from us now maybe even Houston. I think he would choose New York over us just cause it's the team he played for last and cause they are offering him more money.

 

[Dark Defender]

If true this is just to keep him from the Nets.</p>

What purpose would he have there? They are jammed pack at every position.Houston should be smart enought to pass and sign somewhere else.</p>

 

[Petey]

Don't think has 15 players already under contract for next year?</p>

-Petey</p>

 

[GMJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Petey)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Don't think has 15 players already under contract for next year?</p>

-Petey </p>

</div></p>

I'm pretty sure thats why Demetrius Nichols is having to play overseas? Or why they may cut dan dickau?</p>

</p>

 

[Legacy]

This is like the time when the Lakers wanted to get KG but the Suns also wanted KG just so the Lakers can't get him. But I'm not comparing Allan Houston to KG.

 

[CelticKing]

Why are teams going after Houston like he's going to solve all their problems?

 

[reganomics813]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'>Why are teams going after Houston like he's going to solve all their problems?</div>

I think it's the lure of signing a battle tested vet to a minimum deal after seeing San Antonio succeed with some of their own. NJ has a hard time bringing in free agents and convincing vets who have something left in the tank period, then to come play for us for the minimum as a final complementary piece is nearly impossible with other/finals contention teams out there with the same money to offer. When we get the whiff of one that may actually want to join our organization we tend to get a bit excited even if the guy isn't even a shade of his former self. </p>

My viewpoint on this whole situation is that Houston hasn't played in 2 years because he was forced into retirement with a knee was one more surgery away from being semi-reliant on using a cane. This isn't a Finley situation where he's still up to speed with the current NBA and has a number of things to offer on the floor, being a vet with past glory is enough for NJ or any team. I would love to see a feel good story come out of this, especially if it's to the Nets benefit, but I have a hard time seeing him as anything more than a guy who spots up behind the line and while yes it's nice to add a good guy/veteran like that on the end of our bench it's no different than us giving a look at Jay Williams last season, it's a cautious interest. It surely reeks a bit of desperation from most of the teams interested but nobody's running to give him a guaranteed deal because everyone knows it's pretty easy to get some interest going from a controlled workout where he can show off his strengths.</p>

I think this Knick MLE talk is a bunch of crap to try and get him a guaranteed offer but if it's not then good for Houston and New York, they're perfect for eachother if thats the case.</p>