Hooped Up

Center Darko Milicic told The Post he is hoping his agent can work out an agreement with the Knicks to be released.

Milicic said he doesn’t want to leave money on the table, but feels it’s best for him and the Knicks to part ways. Milicic said he doesn’t want to play for another team, but rest for next season when he plans to return to Europe.

“I’m just trying to find some kind of solution,” Milicic told The Post. “I’m not just looking for a solution for my end, but a solution that would be good for them and me.

“I think for the team, why am I taking someone’s spot right now?,” Milicic added. “Why am I traveling, taking a spot? I’m taking someone’s spot when I know I’m never going to play. I understand them, they want to save money so they can get another player. I understand that. But I’m not going to leave any money.”

“If it was just me, I’d say bleep the money,” he said. “But I’m thinking about my wife and baby, and you never know what can happen tomorrow.”

New York Post

Another van glorious season of NBA basketball is about to begin and Hooped Up does a quick and dirty preview of all 30 clubs — so lets go!

The torment and torture of being a Knicks fan could end in the summer of 2010, if they’re able to sign a big name free agent like unknown LeBron James, but unless the Knicks bump into Doc Brown and gun it to 2010 today. Expect to see a high powered offence that produces the opposite of wins in 09-10. Read More »

And by free I mean trade.

“The Grizzlies aren’t just entertaining the idea of parting with the No. 2 overall pick in Thursday’s draft. They’ve also engaged in advanced discussions with the Knicks that should put former No. 2 overall pick Darko Milicic in New York by week’s end … unless Memphis winds up needing Milicic’s expiring contract in another draft-related trade.

Sources say that the proposed swap would send Milicic to the Knicks for swingman Quentin Richardson and cash. Milicic is scheduled to earn $7.5 million next season in the final year of a three-year deal he received from the Griz in 2007; Richardson has a player option for next season at $8.7 million.

If the teams go through with the trade, Milicic would join his fourth team since Detroit infamously gambled on him in 2003 with the pick immediately after LeBron James … and right before Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.”

ESPN

Despite Darko Milicic being 99% sure that a deal between the Knicks and Grizzlies will go down.  One more wrinkle has been added to the deal already on the table.

“Walsh doesn’t appear desperate enough to jump at a deal in which the Grizzlies would take the three years and $48 million left on Randolph’s contract while giving a first-rounder to Memphis. The Grizzlies, according to sources, have agreed to send young 7-1 center Darko Milicic and 6-7 swingmanMarko Jaric to New York. They are playing the waiting game with Walsh, who has made it clear he has no plans to make a knee-jerk decision. In July, Walsh refused to send a first-round pick and Randolph to the Clippers for a second-rounder. ”

New York Newsday

Having Adriana Lima in Madison Square Gardens all the time is not a bad thing.  Other than that, this deal seems comme ci, comme ca at best for both squads.

“Another rumor has surfaced that the Memphis Grizzlies are interested in New York Knicks power forward Zach Randolph. The proposed trade would have the Knicks acquiring former first-round pick Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric for Randolph, nicknamed “Zebo.”

These players are being tossed in trade rumors because their roles look to be diminished next season. By acquiring OJ Mayo, Darrell Arthur and Marc Gasol, the Grizzles are looking to build a young, up-tempo team full of athleticism, and both Serbian players should find themselves passed on the depth chart”

Bleacher Report

Booing him early and often, Detroit Pistons fans let Darko Milicic know they still begrudge him for being a bust.

The Pistons drafted Milicic second overall in 2003 — passing on Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — and traded him two-plus seasons later after he averaged fewer than two points a game as a seldom-used reserve.

Milicic said in the past, and reiterated Sunday, he just wants to play.

The 7-foot, 250-pound center from Serbia-Montenegro was jeered and taunted throughout the game, particularly while shooting free throws.

“I don’t really care,” he insisted. “Back home fans used to throw baseball [bats] at me. They used to try to kill me back home, that’s why I don’t even care.”

SI