Shaquille O'Neal

The Knicks have inquired about a sign-and-trade with the Cavaliers for free agent Shaquille O’Neal.

O’Neal, 38, played for Mike D’Antoni in Phoenix for half a season in 2008. Reports, however, have O’Neal headed to Atlanta for Marvin Williams.

A Knicks source said, “I don’t think it would work with us on many levels.”

HoopsWorld

LeBron James

LeBron James did not feel comfortable coming to play for the Knicks, a source told the New York Post.

James was afraid of New York’s bright lights and the intense nature of the media, the source claims. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni hinted that might be the case on Thursday.

“I think I was attracted to a lot of cities,” James told Michael Wilbon after his decision as he sidestepped a question about New York.

“I was attracted to a lot of cities, but it came down to where I can win and where my family would be happy.”

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Donnie Walsh

In the midst of suffering the unparalleled loss of LeBron James to the loathed Pat Riley and his Heat, the Knicks are experiencing additional upheaval and misery, an impeccable source revealed late last night.

According to someone in the know, team president Donnie Walsh “may possibly retire” within the week because of “health” and “a failure to land LeBron”.

It has been rumored that Kevin Prichard could be his replacement. Fired recently by the Blazers with one year left on his pact, he is represented by Warren LeGarie, who is also Mike D’Antoni’s agent.

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Amare Stoudemire

The New York Knicks reached an agreement in principle Monday with free agent Amare Stoudemire after receiving assurances it would not be an impediment to their pursuit of LeBron James.

The All-Star forward will receive a five-year, $99.7 million contract that will reunite him with coach Mike D’Antoni.

Stoudemire’s agent, Happy Walters, said last week there was a “structure of an offer on the table,” but no actual offer was put forth by the Knicks until they met with Stoudemire at Madison Square Garden on Monday afternoon. The deal cannot be signed until Thursday.

ESPN.com

Joe Johnson

According to sources, the Hawks did offer free agent Joe Johnson a full max contract said to be worth $127 million yesterday and that he is close to agreeing to those terms to remain in Atlanta.

Johnson also met yesterday with Knicks’ coach Mike D’Antoni and may meet with Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban today.

The Bulls and Rockets have also expressed interest in meeting with Johnson.

HoopsWorld

Mike D'Antoni

The Knicks’ first choice is to sign Chris Bosh to play with James, which the club believes would form the most dominant pair from among this free-agent class.

The team does not believe that Dwyane Wade and James complement each other best. But the Knicks are just as interested in pairing Wade with Bosh if James declines their offer.

“I’m sure LeBron and Wade would figure out a way to play together, but it’s not an ideal fit,” the report said. “Bosh would be a perfect complement to both of those guys because of his ability to stretch the floor.”

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Eddy Curry

LeBron James has reached out to Knicks center Eddy Curry about working out together at some point during the offseason, according to a source.

James and Curry are both represented by agent Leon Rose and also have close ties to NBA power broker William Wesley, whom New York put in charge of Curry’s workouts this summer.

The New York Daily News points out that Curry’s involvement in the recruit of James may be a bad thing for the Knicks.

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Mark Jackson

Mark Jackson would be the coach of the Knicks right now if Mike D’Antoni had not quickly left the Suns two years ago.

Jackson had actually begun assembling a coaching staff before Knicks president Donnie Walsh opted to go with the more experienced D’Antoni. There are a number of coaching vacancies this offseason and Jackson has been linked to the Clippers.

“Mark, as everyone knows, has a strong desire to be a head coach,” says Steven Kauffmann, Jackson’s agent. “If the Clippers are interested that would absolutely be an ideal situation. They have a good roster and will be a very competitive team for years to come. It’s a great place for Mark to being his coaching career.”

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Kyle Korver

Free-agents-to-be Kyle Korver and Marcus Camby will be of interest to the Knicks this off-season.

The Knicks feel that the three-point shooting abilities of Kyle Korver and Danilo Gallinari will allow Mike D’Antoni to re-institute his speedball attack.

Camby would fit the Knicks’ need for a shotblocking center.

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Carlos Boozer

Jazz forward Carlos Boozer did not shoot down the possibility of signing with the Knicks as a free agent this summer.

Boozer, who appeared to be done in Utah heading into the season, has expressed his desire to re-sign with the Jazz as well.

“I love D’Antoni, he’s the dope,” Boozer said of New York’s coach.

“Spending time with him in the Olympics, his offensive mindset is unbelievable. He’s got the best plays I’ve ever been around — on a whim. It’s like rappers when they come out on the top of the dome with quotes. He’s got plays in the back of his head with plays for that moment.”

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