http://www.nypost.com/seven/07012008/sports/knicks/dantoni_says__lee_great__but_trade_possi_118041.htm By MARC BERMAN Last updated: 3:41 am July 1, 2008 Wearing a red Team USA polo shirt at an Olympic function at The Plaza yesterday, Mike D'Antoni put on his KnicksNew York Knicks hat in declaring the team's biggest need is backcourt help, with free agency dawning today. D'Antoni, a U.S. Olympic assistant coach this summer, also supported David LeeDavid Lee , saying he would "love" to coach him next season but admitted Lee is the subject of trade talks. Unrestricted free agent Beno Udrih of Sacramento, Golden State restricted free agent Monta Ellis and Raymond Felton are their top point guard targets, but that may be shooting too high, considering the Knicks' new cap restrictions. Trade options include the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich and Memphis' Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry. "I think our backcourt could be a little thin right now," said D'Antoni. "We could get some help there, no doubt. Every place else we have a lot of guys." Among the lesser-tier free-agent point/combo guards are Chris Duhon, Carlos Arroyo, Keyon Dooling, Sebastian Telfair, Eddie House and Sam Cassell. Players can sign July 15. The Knicks consider Stephon Marbury the lone true point guard on the roster and he's a risk, returning from ankle surgery at 31 and in the final year of his contract. They will lose Fred Jones to free agency and D'Antoni doesn't consider Nate Robinson a true point guard. The Knicks bypassed the point guard position in the draft, choosing 6-foot-10 Italian forward Danilo Gallinari Thursday. The Knicks would've taken PG Russell Westbrook had he fallen to sixth, but brass didn't think Eric Gordon, because of his suspect handle, could make the transition to point guard. Before Donnie Walsh's goal of sliding under the 2010 salary cap, Isiah Thomas was free to offer the maximum mid-level free agent contract - five years, $31 million. Jerome James and Jared Jeffries were the benefactors. With the mid-level exception expected to be raised this year to $5.5 million, Walsh won't go beyond a two-year, $11.5 million offer. An $11.5 million package may not be big enough for the up-an-coming Udrih, a Slovenian who could net a long-term offer. His New York-based agent, Marc Cornstein, wouldn't rule out the Knicks. "There'll be more clarity [today], but if the Knicks had interest, it's something Udrih would want to look into," Cornstein said. Sacramento does not have Udrih's Bird rights, so the Kings can't do a sign-and-trade. The Knicks' best hope in landing Ellis or Felton is through a sign-and-trade, with Lee the pawn. Ellis' agent Jeff Fried said last night his client has expressed interest in the Knicks. D'Antoni denied a report that he doesn't like Lee's game, but indicated his contractual situation is a factor. Lee will looking for a long-term contract extension by October's deadline. "I love David Lee," D'Antoni said. "I read someplace, he doesn't fit my style. Let's see, he averaged 10 rebounds, 10 points. He fits anybody's style. To be creative, he's the best we have to be creative. [But] the franchise will do their job of exploring every option. At the end of the day, I'd be very happy to coach David Lee. "But again it's the business, it's the future and we're doing what you can within certain parameters. It's overblown because everyone that calls asks about him because he's the main guy. And it should be a compliment to him. It hasn't happened. I don't expect it to happen. If it did, it would have to be somebody good." -- 聽起來...LEE已經被當籌碼了，只剩時間問題 --

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