Marbury not interested in Knicks return

Published Mar. 31, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

In the wake of Jeremy Lin being lost for the regular season and, possibly, the first round of the playoffs because of knee surgery, it is possible the Knicks will add a veteran point guard for the playoff push.

One who is available: Stephon Marbury. The former Knicks player led his Beijing team to the Chinese Basketball Association championship, scoring 41 points in the series clincher Friday night.

When the New York Post emailed Marbury on Saturday night asking what he would do if the Knicks gave him a call now that former adversary Mike D'Antoni is gone, Marbury responded, "NOTHING.''

Knicks coach Mike Woodson said he thinks the club may stand pat. They would have to waive a player — potentially Mike Bibby — to open a roster spot. Woodson said he thinks the club can survive with starter Baron Davis, Bibby and Toney Douglas.

"I haven't had a chance to sit down with Glen [Grunwald, general manager] and [owner] James Dolan and see,'' Woodson said before Saturday night's 91-75 win over the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.

"My thinking is that we'll probably go with what we have. I don't think there's a whole lot out there right now who will make a big difference for our ballclub."

Knicks reserve swingman J.R. Smith, who played against Marbury in China during the regular season, said Marbury was "in the best shape I'd seen him in'' and felt he would be one of the better point guards in the NBA.

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But Smith said every conversation he has had with Marbury indicated the two-time All-Star wants to continue his Chinese career for marketing reasons. Smith said Marbury became "more of a leader'' this season in China.

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