(Sports Network) - The Knicks are over the salary cap and don't have a first
round pick so the team received a big break late last week when an independent
arbitrator ruled that point guard Jeremy Lin and sharpshooter Steve Novak will
retain their "Bird rights."
That means New York can go over the salary cap and/or luxury tax in order to
re-sign its own players.
The NBA plans to appeal the ruling but if it stands the Knicks will be able to
re-sign Lin and Novak while also keeping their mid-level exception and the
ability to add another player.
That's paramount for a club that won't be selecting until the 48th overall
pick in the second round.
Players Under Contract: F: Carmelo Anthony; C: Tyson Chandler; G: Toney
Douglas; C: Dan Gadzuric; C: Josh Harrelson; C: Jerome Jordan; G: Iman
Shumpert; F/C: Amar'e Stoudemire
Free Agents: G: Mike Bibby; G: Baron Davis; G: Landry Fields (restricted);
F: Jared Jeffries; G: Jeremy Lin (restricted); F: Steve Novak; G: J.R. Smith
(unrestricted, player option)
Draft History:
2011: Iman Shumpert (17)
2010: Andre Rautins (38), Landry Fields (39)
2009: Jordan Hill (8)
2008: Danilo Gallinari (6)
2007: Wilson Chandler (23)
Draft picks: 2nd round (48th overall)
The Sports Network