GREENBURGH, N.Y. –– The Knicks won’t grant an extension to Wilson Chandler by tonight’s deadline for 2007 draft picks.
“We’re not going to do it,” Knicks president Donnie Walsh said Monday at practice, confirming an earlier report by the New York Post. “I think the picture will be clearer if we leave it until the summer. It’s not over one thing. It has nothing to do with Wilson. It’s just a matter of having a clearer picture of basically what we’re going to pay him when the time comes.”
With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire June 30, the Knicks could simply be waiting to get a clearer picture on how the league’s financials will look once summer comes.
“I think it’s more we want to do the right thing by the kid and it’s not clear right now, because he’s been a good player here,” Walsh said.
Chandler is averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Knicks (1-2).
FREE THROWS
**Ronny Turiaf (bruised back) did not practice Monday, but head coach Mike D’Antoni said he would be good to go Tuesday against Orlando. “Ronny’s OK,” he said. “His back’s a little sore so we gave him one more day. He’ll be ready.”
**As for center Eddy Curry, who did not practice, D’Antoni said, “He and Kelenna [Azubuike] can do everything except contact.”
Asked if there was a time-frame on Curry, D’Antoni said, “Eddy’s a little bit closer than Azubuike but we’ll have to see.”
**Anthony Randolph (sprained ankle) and Danillo Gallinari (wrist) practiced and D’Antoni said both could play Tuesday. “I think he’ll play,” D’Antoni said of Randolph.
**D’Antoni said he hoped center Timofey Mozgov could give a good effort against Dwight Howard.
“I think Timmy will guard him and he might get two fouls, you can’t worry about it,” D’Antoni said. “It’s a great learning experience for him, as it was with Shaq. But I think Timmy’s coming on. I think little by little he keeps doing the right things. I think it’s a good outing for a rookie.”
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