The New York Knicks would like a tough, defensive-minded center to team with high-scoring forwards Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. Reports are that the guy they want most is veteran Jeff Foster, who has spent his entire 12-year career with the Indiana Pacers.
The New York Post makes it seem unlikely that the Knicks can woo Foster, but they have dispatched former Knicks and Pacers GM Donnie Walsh, now a Knicks consultant, to try and convince Foster to give New York a try.
Here is part of the report from the Post's Marc Berman:
Foster desperately wants to stay in Indiana and indicated he may be willing to take less money, since he wants to finish his career with Indiana, where he has played 12 seasons. In a bad sign for the Knicks, Foster showed up at the Pacers' practice facility to work out Thursday on the first day teams unlocked the doors.
Foster made $6.7 million last season. The Knicks can outbid the Pacers on a one-year deal if they offer their $5 million mid-level exception. They appear to be willing to do so as long as they protect their 2012 space for the free-agent bonanza of Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Deron Williams.
Foster is 34, and played only 16 games two seasons ago and 56 last season. Previous reports had also indicated that the injuries he has battled the past couple of seasons might lead him to retire.