Knicks working on buyouts for Metta World Peace, Beno Udrih
Metta World Peace looks on during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 5, 2013. Credit: Jim McIsaac
ATLANTA – The Knicks are working on buying out the contracts of Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih.
World Peace announced on Twitter that his agent and the Knicks were in discussions on a buyout. League sources confirmed that Udrih’s agent, who also represents World Peace, was negotiating a buyout for both players with the Knicks.
World Peace, a Queensbridge native and former St. John’s star, was signed to a two-year deal last summer. The second-year is a player option for roughly $1.6 million. Udrih signed a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.
Neither was in Mike Woodson’s rotation so this was a likely and expected outcome.
World Peace, a former Defensive Player of the Year, only appeared in 29 games, averaging 4.8 points in 13.4 minutes. World Peace had platelet-rich plasma therapy on his left knee in January. But he was hardly used before and after that.
Udrih played in 31 games, starting 12, and averaged 5.6 and 3.5 assists. He was brought in to be the third point guard, and play a similar role as Pablo Prigioni last season. But it never really materialized and he became a scapegoat for Woodson, who in losses to Washington and the Rockets was critical of Udrih’s defense and decision making.
The Knicks had been trying to trade Udrih by Thursday’s deadline. The Nuggets and Wizards were said to be interested but they both acquired point guards at the deadline.
When the buyouts are complete, the Knicks will have two roster spots they can fill.
