No Playing Time, No Trade..No Problem?

Here is a look at a few players who are in NBA limbo with no resolution in sight.  Most of the time when a player cant crack the rotation for his respected team, that team would either waive him, exercise a buyout, or trade him for another player with equal or lesser value.  But..when your name happens to be Stephon Marbury or Antoine Walker doing any of the above is never as easy as it sounds.  Lets take a look at both players and see how they are in NBA limbo with no resolution in sight.

First up is Starbury whom some consider a pass first point guard who helped run the Knicks once proud franchise in the ground. After 2 failed attempts at Resurrection with Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas new head coach Mike D'Antoni has publicly stated that he will not play or trade Marbury; because he does not see the guard in the Knicks longterm plans.  Here is the main issue, Marbury is one of the highest paid players in the NBA with $20 Million due to him this year (whether he plays or not) and because of his brutal contract it makes him 10x's harder to trade.  So why not a buyout?  Well, at a $20 Million price tag and the fact that the Knicks lead the league in paying luxury taxes you can imagine why new G.M Donnie Walsh doesn't want to go down that road.  However, I feel for Marbury in the fact that he sounds like a changed man (nothing like this) when he says he wants to fit into the system and be the leader of the team.  Not only is he not been giving a chance to lead, he has not played a single minute in the Knicks 5-3 start this year.  I'm confused as to how a team can "afford" to not play, trade, or waive a player of his stature versus just sitting him on the bench.  Look for Marbury to seek arbitration on the matter and either force a trade or a buyout on the grounds that the Knicks are sabotaging his career.  Some potential suitors include the Bucks, Raptors, and maybe the 1-6 Wizards who desperatly need a point guard while Gilbert Arenas is injured. Stay tuned to see what happens to Starbury; but for now he sorely resides on the Knicks bench. 

Next up is my guy Antoine Walker who is one of the most misunderstood players in NBA history.  After leading Kentucky to the 1996 NCAA tittle, he was the most sought after player in that highly touted draft class.                                                                                                        

 

With a seal of approval from his Airness, Walker started his career in Boston following in the shadows of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.  Paul Pierce and Walker combined for a lethal tag team as they led the C's to the Conference Finals during their tenure together.  Ultimately the 2 were split up and now Antoine is currently sitting it out on the bench of the Memphis Grizzlies.  With a salary that is due to pay him $9 Million this season, he is the highest player on his team; and also the least amount of playing time.  The Grizzles refuse to play Walker even though he is perfectly healthy and able to contribute.  Even though Walker is notorious for his shot selection (.325 on 3's) I still don't understand how a team can afford to just sit him. and force him to travel and practice everyday.  Both of these players are on the downward swing in their respected careers, but put them on a contender and see how they produce; like a Michael Finley or Allen Iverson.  I hope the NBA takes a look at teams that are not buying out the contracts of veteran players in an effort to save luxury tax money, and also not playing them which sabotages their trade value.

Honorable Mentions-Eddy Curry:New York Knicks

                                    

Peace,

Agent 34