Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade mentioned the New York Knicks as a possible destination when he hits free agency in summer 2010, and said he would be open to Miami pursuing point guard Stephon Marbury if he becomes available.
New Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni worked with Wade as an assistant coach on the Olympic basketball team, and the Heat star said he would be interested in playing for the offensive-minded coach.
"I mean, I love offense. Why wouldn't I? I love him,"
Wade told Newsday during a promotional tour in New York. "When we're in practice, I love [Portland Trailblazers coach] Nate McMillan, but I want to be on Mike D'Antoni's team because Nate is preaching all defense and Mike is preaching all offense."
Wade also cautioned not to judge Marbury. The rebuilding Knicks are expected to waive Marbury -- whose ego and attitude earned him the nickname "Starbury"
-- in the coming weeks. Wade played on the 2004 Olympic team with Marbury.
"You can never judge a guy by what you've heard because if that was the case, then Shaq wouldn't have been the ideal teammate for me as well,"
Wade said. "He came to Miami and everything I heard about him, none of it showed. You can't ever judge a guy by what he's done in his past or what you've heard about him."
The most pressing issue for the Heat long-term will be building a team that appeases Wade to keep him after he becomes a free agent. The star-studded 2010 free-agent class is expected to include Chris Bosh and LeBron James, among others.
James also has been linked to New York because it would allow him to play in a big market, and he would have two options. The Nets are building a new arena and will be moving to Brooklyn and James' close friend and business mentor, Jay-Z, is part-owner of the team. The Knicks also are expected to target James.
"We know that 2010 is a big year,"
Wade said. "I'm a part of that year, so I know it's a big year."
"The Knicks are not worried about me. They're worried about No. 23, and he's in Cleveland. I'm in a good market in Miami. He's not in a good market in Cleveland, marketing-wise, so it just makes sense that everyone wants to see one of the best players in one of the best markets."
"It's going to be a lot to decide for him. So I just get all the attention off me and throw it on him, so it's easy."
