GREENBURGH, N.Y. — If Allen Iverson is eager to join the Knicks, the feeling doesn’t seem quite as mutual for a 2-9 team still mulling whether it will pursue him at all after he hit the open market Thursday night.
Iverson officially cleared waivers at 4 p.m. MST — no surprise because only Oklahoma City and Minnesota had enough salary-cap room to fit the $3.1 million contract he signed with Memphis, for which he played only three games before reaching a separation agreement.
Now he hits a market where two teams besides the Knicks (whom Iverson has reportedly expressed an interest in joining) might try to sign him: Miami and Orlando.
The Knicks apparently aren’t in a big hurry, with reporting that they might wait until after this weekend before making a decision.
Team president Donnie Walsh did not respond to questions after Thursday’s waiver deadline about the Knicks’ plans, but coach Mike D’Antoni said earlier of his team’s acknowledged interest, “It’s always a fluid situation, and it’s fluid right now.”
And it’s D’Antoni’s decision if the Knicks go after him, Larry Brown, who coached Iverson and the 76ers during their 2001 run to the NBA Finals, told a Philadelphia radio station.
“I called New York because with D’Antoni and the way he plays, shoot, that’s perfect for Allen,” the former Knicks coach said. “Donnie loves him; Donnie’s always loved him and admired him. But it’s up to D’Antoni and that’s what Donnie told me.”
Ginobili likely out a week
SAN ANTONIO — Manu Ginobili is expected to miss about a week for the Spurs because of a strained left groin.
Ginobili and backcourt mate Tony Parker (ankle) were inactive for San Antonio’s game against Utah. Denver Post wire services
