Will the Knicks Buy Out Nate Robinson?

Since trading him is damn near impossible, Donnie Walsh is willing to consider the idea of a buyout: “Walsh has acknowledged trading Robinson could be difficult because he’s only willing to accept an expiring contract in return. The other roadblock is cap mathematics, as Robinson is a ‘base-year compensation’ player, meaning despite his $4 million contract, the Knicks can only accept back a player whose contract is $2.6 million. If both teams are over the cap, a deal is not possible because the salaries must match. A third team would have to be involved. When asked directly if he’d be willing to buy Robinson out like he did banished Stephon Marbury last February, Walsh did not dismiss the idea. ‘When I signed him I thought he’d be an important player on the team,’ Walsh said. ‘I don’t know. We’ll have to talk about it, OK, what is it [the number].’ If the Knicks can save $1 million on his base contract of $4 million, both sides could be willing to go for it. That could mean a net savings of $2 million since Robinson is owed a $1 million bonus if the Knicks make the playoffs. Incredibly, with their Nate-free surge, the Knicks (10-17) are just one game behind eighth-place Detroit.”