David Zalubowski/AP
Metta World Peace thanks Knick fans and says he’s close to being waived.
The long rumored divorce featuring Metta World Peace, Beno Udrih and the Knicks was close to being finalized on Saturday with the club negotiating buyouts with both disgruntled veterans.
A source familiar with the talks said that even if the buyouts are not completed prior to Saturday’s game against Atlanta it was unlikely that Metta and Udrih would be available to play.
If fact, Metta took to Twitter to thank Knick fans and reveal that he was close to being waived by the club. Metta’s brother Daniel Artest, who has been outspoken in his criticism of the Knicks took to Twitter to call James Dolan “the worst owner in sports” and to label Mike Woodson as “trash.”
Neither Metta not Udrih found a consistent role with the Knicks despite their championship pedigree. Udrih, who won a title with San Antonio, became a free target of Woodson’s despite starting in wins over Sam Antonio and Dallas to begin the New Year.
Ned Dishman/NBAE/Getty Images
Backup point guard Beno Udrih is unable to find a consistent role with the Knicks.
In fact, Woodson blamed Udrih after J.R. Smith took an ill- advised shot in a loss to Houston when the proper decision would have been to hold for a final shot in a tied game. Woodson, though, admonished Udrih for passing to Smith.
Metta, who was famously passed over by the Knicks in the 1999 NBA Draft in favor of Frederic Weiss, battled through injury with his hometown Knicks and was frustrated by his lack of playing time. His willingness to speak openly and honestly about the Knicks via Twitter never sat well with the corporate suits at the Garden.
The Knicks asked both Metta and Daniel Artest that their tweets were becoming a “distraction”, according to Artest.
Once the players clear waivers they will become free agents. The Knicks will likely sign two players to fill those roster spots.
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