Steph’s Window Closing

by Tommy Dee on September 30th, 2008 at 9:51 am

What was apparent yesterday, the whole thing about the players being tired of Steph’s act was reiterated by the Bergan Record as well.

But was is more intriguing is that the window of teams who Marbury could go to seem to be closing fast. The Celtics re-signed Sam Cassell and word out of Miami is that the Heat are close to coming to terms with Shaun Livingston, the talented guard who’s year, and career, were damaged by a freekish knee injury.

Former Los Angeles Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston has patiently sought out a team to take a chance on his rehabilitated left knee.  Signs point to the Miami HEAT seriously considering giving Livingston their Bi-Annual Exception for two years, starting at $1.91 million.

Under the quirks of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Livingston’s eight-figure cap hold needed to be off the Clippers’ books in order for the team to sign guard Baron Davis and trade for power forward/center Marcus Camby.

LA offered Livingston a guaranteed one-year minimum deal which would have restored Livingston’s Bird Rights next summer – and enable the Clippers to re-sign him to a high dollar deal should his play (and health) warrant it.

Livingston’s camp informed Los Angeles that they could do better elsewhere.  To date, teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves ultimately passed on the still recovering guard.

Enter the HEAT who have the relatively unproven Marcus Banks, Mario Chalmers and Chris Quinn at the point.  Banks does not appear to be in the team’s long-term vision and if healthy, Livingston has nothing but tremendous upside.

No deal has been announced but the buzz is that it could be close.  The second year is rumored to be a team option.

Should Miami fall through, don’t expect the Clippers to come calling.  After point guard Jason Williams surprisingly retired before camp, a spot arguably opened up on the roster but the team is comfortable with the tandem of Baron Davis, veteran Jason Hart and rookie Mike Taylor (non-guaranteed).

Should this happen, Donnie Walsh has a decision to make. Keeping Steph would tarnish what he is trying to build, unless he is comfortable tanking this season. Just ask Nate or Crawford, how they feel about #3′s presense.  Other options, aside from a buyout, would be to call Warriors GM Chris Mullin and ask about the availability of Al Harrington, who is said to be on the blocks.

A Marbury-for-Harrington deal straight up does not work, as both teams are over the cap, so a potential third team would have to be involved. The Boston Globe reported two days ago that fans should not be surprised if a blockbuster deal went down during the preseason with some notable names mentioned ( Iverson, Marion, Marbury, Vince Carter and Harrington.)

Who knows what will happen next, but one thing’s for sure, if Walsh wants to build something starting now he has to move Marbury, and the teams said to be destinations seem to be dwindling by the second.

I think Steph lasts a few days at camp and will be sent packing. Where we don’t know…
  • dever

    I’ve been wondering for months why the Knicks haven’t looked at Livingston. Duhon is obviously not the long-term solution at PG, and as you said, Livingston has (had?) tremendous upside potential. The guy just turned 23 and is willing to play for a cheap, short-term deal. Is it just me or has nobody mentioned the glaring potential fit here?

  • Chris Alvino

    Dever- That idea has been kicked around. However, given that the Knicks gave Duhon the entire MLE, they did not have the resources to go out and sign Livingston.

    But you are right. The Knicks should have given Livingston a thought. I am a bit skeptical about him though. Why has it taken this much time and this many teams to finally find a match? Did he lose a step from his injury? I hope not because I enjoyed watching him play.