Nov 30, 2008 - 2:05 AM
0 shoutsNEW YORK (Ticker) -- The standoff between Stephon Marbury and the New York Knicks appears to be nearing an end.
The New York Post reported Saturday that Marbury, Knicks president Donnie Walsh and NBA Players' Association attorney Hal Biagas will meet Monday in an attempt to reach a buyout agreement.
"Of course I want something resolved," Marbury told the newspaper after confirming Monday's meeting. "I want to go forward."
To say the relationship between Marbury and the Knicks has been strained would be a gross understatement.
On Friday, the team suspended Marbury for one game without pay for allegedly refusing to play Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks also slapped the two-time All-Star with a fine, bringing Marbury's loses to about $400,000.
"I'm definitely disappointed in a refusal to play because I think that's central to a player's contract," Walsh said. "There's nothing in there that says, 'You will provide your services.' It doesn't say you will play if you have the playing time you want or you like the coach or don't like the coach.' It doesn't say anything about that."
Marbury, making $20.8 million this season, has denied that he refused to play for coach Mike D'Antoni. He has, however, stated publicly that he doesn't trust D'Antoni and has begged Knicks' management for his release.
D'Antoni has kept Marbury off the active roster this season, citing the Knicks' desire to use players who have a long-term future with the team.
But New York's lineup has been trimmed by trades and injuries recently. Nate Robinson, Cuttino Mobley and rookie Danilo Gallinari all are nursing various injuries and were unavailable for Wednesday night's contest.
Despite the depleted lineup, Marbury has remained on the sidelines in street clothes.
