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As he iced the long scar on his left knee an hour before tipoff, Knicks guard and former Tulsa Victory Christian standout Kelenna Azubuike insists he is close to playing for the first time since Nov. 14, 2009, after major surgery on his patella tendon. “It's all about patience, really. I'll be back soon,” said Azubuike, who has been on the Knicks' inactive list all season. “It's been tough mentally. You've just got to stay with it. I feel myself getting better every day, I have people encouraging me. I'm good.” Oklahoman

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike, Injuries 

Because Kelenna Azubuike, the guard acquired in the David Lee deal who’s still recovering from 2009 patellar-tendon surgery, did not play in the final game of the season’s first half, 80 percent of his $3.3 million salary now is picked up by insurance. And since his contract is up after this season, that makes him attractive as a trade chip, even if he doesn’t play. Bergen Record

New York Knicks, Trade, Kelenna Azubuike 

The Knicks have little to offer in trade, with sources saying the Knicks have offered up Roger Mason Jr. ($1.4 million), Bill Walker ($854,000) and Kelenna Azubuike ($3.3 million) around the league and found limited interest. HoopsWorld

New York Knicks, Trade, Kelenna Azubuike, Bill Walker, Roger Mason 

The Knicks could release still-rehabbing Kelenna Azubuike, whose contract expires after the season, to open up a roster spot and sign a player from the D-League or a free-agent veteran. Walsh has to regret not inking center Earl Barron, a great fit last season with the Knicks. Barron recently signed with Phoenix, but the Knicks could have had him for a fraction of Roger Mason's deal. New York Post

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike 

Kelenna Azubuike has tried to be patient with the arduous recovery process involving his torn left patella. Now he faces the frustration of having to wait even longer. Azubuike, 26, has been practicing with the Knicks since mid-November, but the knee has not responded well. It is likely he'll be re-examined to determine the next step in his rehabilitation. "He's not ready physically,'' Mike D'Antoni said last night. "He's not there yet.'' Newsday

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike, Mike D'Antoni, Injuries 

Azubuike will sit on the bench in a suit tonight when the Knicks (4-8) face the Warriors. He had patella tendon surgery Nov. 18, 2009, and Golden State sources believed it would take him one full year before he would play again. "It's about that time," Azubuike said. "It's getting really close. I smell it. A couple of more scrimmages under my belt, get plays down more and I'll be good to go. It's just a matter of time." New York Post

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike 

Steve Adamek: D'Antoni on Azubuike: "I'm not counting on him before Xmas." Said it like a throwaway line, though, somewhat facetiously. Twitter

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike 

Kelenna Azubuike made the European trip as he continues to rehab his knee. He feels he'll be cleared to practice in the next two weeks. "I'm closer than a lot of of people think," Azubuike said. "I'll just be out there and you guys will be like: "Who's that?" Azubuike is still building strength in the knee's patella tendon that was surgically repaired last November. "I have to do everything with 100 percent strength," he said. "I keep working on getting more strength around the knee. It's getting stronger and stronger." New York Post

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike 

Kelenna Azubuike, who came to the Knicks in the David Lee trade and is rehabbing a patella tendon injury in his left knee, says he'll be ready for the start of the regular season, which begins Oct. 6.... Danilo Gallinari, who is heading home to Milan, Italy, with the Knicks next week, is sporting a black eye that he suffered during pre-camp workouts. New York Daily News

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike 

Marc Berman: Walsh says Azubuike probably miss all of training camp, but could be ready for regular season. Sounded like they are planning without him. Twitter

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike 

Alex Kennedy: Kelenna Azubuike's camp believes that he'll be ready to start the season. He'll likely miss camp but he should be fine for opening night. Twitter

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike 

Carmelo Anthony and new Knicks shooting guard Kelanna Azubuike have something in common. Neither likely will be available for the Knicks when training camp opens Sept. 25. Amid another contradictory Internet report, the Nuggets are not accepting trade offers for Anthony. And Donnie Walsh told The Post he has no idea when Azubuike, the former Warriors sharpshooter, will be healthy enough to practice with the team as he returns from a torn tendon in his knee. "He is working extremely hard every day and is improving," Walsh said. "It is too early to pinpoint an exact date when he will be available." New York Post

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike, Injuries 

Kelenna Azubuike, who was expected to compete for a starting job, may start training camp on the sideline, because of lingering concerns over his surgically repaired left knee. Azubuike tore his patellar tendon last November while playing for the Golden State Warriors. He missed the rest of the season, and the Warriors expected he would need a full year to recover. The Knicks are taking a similarly conservative approach. “We’re not sure,” said the team president Donnie Walsh, who described a torn patellar tendon as “one of the worst injuries in the league.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike, Injuries 

According to Douglas, newcomer Kelanna Azubuike is not yet working at Westchester and still is doing offcourt rehab after missing most of last season with a torn tendon in his left knee. It's looking more doubtful the shooting guard will be 100 percent when training camp opens on Sept. 25. New York Post

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike, Injuries 

Alan Hahn: I've heard Azubuike is determined to be ready for camp (Sept. 25) and believes he will be. But patella injuries are nothing to mess with. Twitter

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike, Injuries 

Kelenna Azubuike, who was expected to compete for a starting job, may start training camp on the sideline, because of lingering concerns over his surgically repaired left knee. Azubuike tore his patellar tendon last November while playing for the Golden State Warriors. He missed the rest of the season, and the Warriors expected he would need a full year to recover. The Knicks are taking a similarly conservative approach. “We’re not sure,” said the team president Donnie Walsh, who described a torn patellar tendon as “one of the worst injuries in the league.” New York Times

New York Knicks, Kelenna Azubuike, Donnie Walsh 

Alex Kennedy: According to sources, Kelenna Azubuike should be ready for the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee in May. Twitter

Kelenna Azubuike, Injuries 

Meanwhile, the Knicks continue to explore trade possibilities and remain interested in Blazers swingman Rudy Fernandez, who is actively being shopped. In their pursuit of a deal for Fernandez, or perhaps Chris Paul if and when the Hornets begin fielding serious trade inquiries, the Knicks have a few more assets to offer than commonly realized. According to two people familiar with how the David Lee sign-and-trade arrangement was structured, the Knicks do not have to wait the standard 60 days before combining Ronny Turiaf, Anthony Randolph or Kelenna Azubuike with other players in a trade. The Knicks were still under the salary cap when Lee was signed and traded, exempting them from the 60-day waiting period, which applies only to players acquired with a trade exception by teams that are over the cap. CBSSports.com

Chandler, who has had ankle surgery two straight offseasons, has a contract the Knicks likely will move to be enough under the 2011 salary cap for a maximum contract. The addition of versatile forward Anthony Randolph and swingman Kelenna Azubuike makes Chandler more expendable for a roster lacking size. The Knicks don't believe Chandler can handle shooting-guard duties. New York Post

New York Knicks, Trade, Kelenna Azubuike, Wilson Chandler 

Kelenna Azubuike: I'm really looking forward to playing for the knicks. I'm focused and determined to come back strong!! Twitter

New York Knicks, Trade, Kelenna Azubuike