KNICK NOTES
PHOENIX – Antonio McDyess, who faced the Knicks last night, said he would love to take his game across the Hudson River next season and play with old buddy Jason Kidd on the Nets if the Suns decide not to re-sign him.
McDyess enjoyed living in Manhattan, despite being from a small town in Mississippi. A free agent July 1, McDyess must prove he can still be a productive power forward across Phoenix’ final 24 games in his latest return from the injured list.
“That would be great, definitely would be great,” McDyess said after yesterday’s morning shootaround at AmericaWest Arena. “Who wouldn’t want to play with Jason Kidd? I’d say he’s the best point guard in the league. To play with him again would be great.”
With Kidd’s mighty influence with management, who knows? Kidd and McDyess played together in Phoenix.
“I don’t want to say anything I would regret, but I definitely wouldn’t mind playing with him again,” McDyess added.
The former All-Star could come cheaply, for the lower exception ($1.5M). After calling Isiah Thomas “sneaky,” it’s unlikely he’ll ever return to the Knicks.
McDyess said he couldn’t understand why Keith Van Horn was traded, advancing that Thomas wants all Scott Layden players gone.
“I couldn’t believe it,” McDyess said. “But I wouldn’t put it past him for anybody getting traded on that team. I was shocked it was Keith.”
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A league source said Vin Baker will begin to meet with other teams.
Thomas, who did not make the road trip, has said he wants to meet with Baker before making a decision on whether he wants to sign him, but there’s no set plan.
Seems Baker’s agent is pushing harder than the Knicks are. Baker’s reps say he won’t sign a contract until the Players Association determines whether a new deal would put in jeopardy his grievance against the Celtics, who voided the final $35 million on his deal.