Walsh says he could give more than 1-year deal

Jul 2, 2009 - 11:06 PM By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd.

ESPN.com, citing sources close to the process, reported Thursday that the Knicks would offer a three-year deal to the point guard. The Knicks hosted Kidd and his agent Wednesday on the first day of free agency and are hoping he'll leave Dallas to come to New York.

The midlevel exception is $5.6 million for the first year, and Walsh said last week he wouldn't give a multiyear deal to a free agent unless he could move another contract off his payroll. The Knicks want to be major players in free agency next summer, but still have about $18 million committed to Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries in the 2010-11 season.

Walsh backed away from that a bit Friday.

"I have a little leeway which will leave me in good position for next year," he wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "I know what it is but do not talk much about it."

Also, veteran forward Grant Hill will visit the Knicks on Monday, agent Lon Babby said. Hill played for Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix.

The Knicks have also said they would like to retain their own free agents, forward David Lee and guard Nate Robinson. Both are restricted, so New York can match any deal they receive.