The Knicks Fix

So what ever happened to that 'Dynamic Duo' the Knicks were supposed to have in the backcourt this season?

Stephon Marbury clearly is a different player when Steve Francis is not around to take up his minutes, not to mention the ball. It never was a good idea to try to pair together two guards who need the ball in their hands to be productive, but the Knicks didn't have much of a choice in November.

The truth is, the whole reason behind Francis even being a Knick wasn't to play with Marbury, but to play against him. To outplay him to the point where Larry Brown could provide enough evidence to convince Isiah Thomas to move Marbury out. The two were supposed to go head-to-head at the end of last season. Instead, they both turned against him and Brown's plan to rid the Knicks of Marbury was foiled.

Francis knows he doesn't belong here. Thomas had to visit him over the summer to convince him he would have an important role and that it could work. Francis bought in, but less than a month into the season he could see it would not work. He volunteered to step out of the starting lineup and come off the bench for that game in Minnesota. He did it to help the team find some needed chemistry. No one looked more happy about it than Marbury. But then they got blown out that game and Francis went back into the starting lineup. Marbury's smile was gone just as fast as it came.

The only option that remains for the Knicks is a buyout of Francis' contract. There's some big money still left to be paid to him. Half of this year's salary is still on the books for $7,503,500, plus $16,440,000 for next season and $17,180,000 for 2008-09. That's $41,123,500 sitting on the table in guaranteed money. Let me say that again - guaranteed money.

If you were Steve Francis, why would you agree to accept anything less?

You wouldn't if you believed another team out there would be willing to pick up the contract. You wouldn't if you believed if you took a leave of absence and went to Houston to rehabilitate the tendinitis in your right knee so you can get back to 100 percent health and show that your high-flying, explosive game is still there. And if so, you can attract someone who would be willing to take on that contract so he can continue to earn every penny of the $41,123,500 that is left on it.

I believe that's why the Knicks have granted him this leave. It is far more beneficial for the Knicks to trade that contract rather than buy it out and then watch Francis sign for the veteran's minimum with another team and rediscover his game. Nothing worse than paying a guy to contribute for another team. At least Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor aren't doing much of anything where they are now.

So when it comes to these rumors of buyouts, I wouldn't believe anything that suggests Francis is looking to be bought out right now. It makes no sense that he would want to take a penny less than what he is guaranteed to make over the remainder of this season, plus the next two. Especially if his knee condition doesn't ever improve to the point where he can return to the player that earned that kind of cash.

The Knicks might have looked into it, but even for them, what's the rush? It seems to be a better plan to see how Francis does after some rest. If he comes back looking good enough to entice at least one desperate team to take a chance, then you've dumped a contract you really never wanted in the first place.