Eddy Curry Available on the Cheap?

October 28th, 2008 by Andrew Wamboldt

ESPN.com is reporting that Mike D’Antoni will not play Eddy Curry in the Knicks season opener. here is what ESPN.com wrote.

New Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said he doesn’t plan to play Curry in the team’s season opener Wednesday against the Miami Heat, simply responding “no” when asked Tuesday if Curry would be part of his eight- or nine-man rotation.

After playing in four of the seven Knicks’ preseason games (including one DNP/coach’s decision), Curry was surprised by the news that he is not part of his coach’s regular rotation. “Definitely stunned, especially being that [D'Antoni] didn’t tell me that,” Curry said Tuesday. “I haven’t talked to him. I’m here with him every day. All he has to do is tell me. I’m definitely stunned to hear that.”

D’Antoni said minutes were earned during practice and the preseason, though he may make an exception for first-round draft pick Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari, who has a bad back, did not play in any of the team’s preseason games, but D’Antoni may give him some minutes in Wednesday’s opener. Such a scenario was not lost on Curry. “You can’t help but to think about that, especially [since] I feel like I’m in pretty good shape,” Curry said. “Hopefully I can contribute and, if not, I will cheer my team on and see what the Knicks’ plan is.”

I would hope that John Paxson is at least inquiring about Eddy Curry. The guy is not in bad shape, much better than Aaron Gray. He would be that center that you could dump the ball into to create an inside game, and you really don’t lose anything defensively going from Gooden to Curry in the front court.

The Bulls would have two main options, Kirk Hinrich or Larry Hughes for Eddy Curry or Drew Gooden and filler for Eddy Curry.

It is an interesting option, and I would hope that John Paxson at least looks at this option.