Knicks' Lee could hold out of camp

The agent for David Lee would not rule out the possibility of his client being an unsigned contract holdout when Knicks training camp opens Sept. 28.

In the NBA, it is almost unheard-of for players of Lee's stature to be camp holdouts.

"I certainly hope not, but you have to have an agreement," agent
Mark Bartelstein told The Post yesterday. "I never thought we'd be this
far without a deal. It comes down to making a deal. You have to ask
[team president] Donnie [Walsh]."

"All we've agreed is if we can't do a sign-and-trade, we will work out a reasonable one-year deal," Bartelstein said.

...Bartelstein said there has yet been a firm offer but added Walsh is
not pushing for Lee to sign the one-year qualifier. It would be a great
embarrassment for the Knicks if they open camp with Lee unsigned.

"We haven't discussed those [one-year] numbers," Bartelstein said.
"Is this disappointing? Every player would love to get a long-term
deal, but they've made it clear they have plan in place for next
season's [free agency]. They're entitled to have that plan."

Lee still is working out at the Knicks' facility, but if a deal
isn't signed by Sept. 28, there is no way he will attend training camp
in Saratoga. Bartelstein wouldn't let Lee compete for the U.S. Olympic
team during its mini-camp in late July without a contract.

Meanwhile, unsigned Nate Robinson met with Walsh for less than an
hour at their Westchester campus and discussed his status with the
club. Robinson may have to accept the Knicks' one-year, $2.9 million
qualifying offer.