4:11pm: The Knicks feel the presence of Udrih may take playing time away from Toure’ Murry, and they wouldn’t mind receiving a second-round pick if they were to make a trade, Berman writes.
1:47pm: Udrih says he “wants to be here” and that his “first option” is to remain with the Knicks, Berman tweets, so it appears the point guard’s issues with Woodson and concerns about playing time aren’t too severe.
THURSDAY, 9:25am: Udrih isn’t applying undue pressure on the Knicks, and it’s not a foregone conclusion that he’ll be dealt, a source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post. Udrih’s agent, Marc Cornstein, was to set to speak with Knicks GM Steve Mills prior to last night’s game.
MONDAY, 7:58pm: Beno Udrih has asked for a trade from the Knicks, according to ESPN New York’s Ian Begley. The Knicks will attempt to honor the request, according to league sources. While the impetus for the request hasn’t been revealed, the backup point guard has had publicized issues with coach Mike Woodson in his first year with the team. The veteran has been disappointed in a lack of minutes alongside starting point guard Raymond Felton, a rotation he says was pitched to him as a free agent.
The twelfth-year veteran is averaging 19.9 MPG, his lowest total since the 2011/12 season, and his current PER of 12.7 is below his career average of 14.0. The cap hit for Udrih’s one-year contract is $884,293. It is unclear if there are any teams that would be in the market for a backup rotational guard like Udrih, and his small price tag would limit what kind of salary the Knicks could take back in return since they are already over the cap.
The Knicks have already generated a lot of buzz regarding their pursuit of another point guard in the wake of the team’s struggles and early injuries to Felton and Pablo Prigioni. Those pursuits have stalled–most notably the deal for Kyle Lowry that owner James Dolan reportedly nixed–but adding another guard would likely be a necessity if they are able to honor Udrih’s request to move on.
Like MLK, I (and every other Knicks fan) had a dream the Knicks would trade Beno Udrih. And on MLK day, Beno Udrih has requested a trade, and my dream will be realized shortly. #coincidence?
Why would he want to stay, when a player with hhis talent can and deserves to start for about 10 nba teams