HoopsHype.com Rumors

Grunwald said the Knicks will not be able to do sign-and-trade this summer to acquire a free agent because of the new CBA rules. However, if one of their current free agents wants to do a sign-and-trade to depart, the Knicks are permitted. In other words, they can do a sign-and-trade with Chris Copeland and get back an asset. New York Post

New York Knicks, Trade, Glen Grunwald, Free Agent, Chris Copeland 

Yesterday, though, Copeland said he never has cared about the biggest possible payday. A restricted-free-agent- to-be, Copeland said he cares about being comfortable — and he does not want to sever his Knicks relationship. “I would be lying to you if I said [money] wasn’t a factor, but people don’t know. If you look at my career overseas and stuff, I’ve never chased the highest bidder. I’ve never been that guy,” Copeland said. “I’ve played on teams for multiple years. When I’m comfortable, I usually tend to stay in those situations. “I love it here. The finances play a part, but I have a lot of emotional ties here that it would be harder for me to break.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Chris Copeland 

Jared Zwerling: Copeland: "To be here has been a dream come true, but to stay here, this place means the world to me." #Knicks Twitter @JaredZwerling

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Chris Copeland 

Adam Zagoria: Chris Copeland, no surprise, said he wants to come back to the #Knicks. Team must make him a qualifying offer by June 30 Twitter

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Chris Copeland 

Chris Copeland's agent, John Spencer, told ESPNNewYork.com on Friday that the Knicks are planning to give the rookie forward a qualifying offer for next season. Spencer also said his client "really wants to return" to the team. "He loves the city, he's from Jersey and he wants to play as well," Spencer said. "There's no better bright lights where guys want to play other than New York, and he wants to try to find a way to stay in town." ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Chris Copeland 

Spencer confirmed that not only does Copeland want to "play and contribute" next season, but he also "wants to get paid." Spencer said Copeland believes he has earned his stripes playing overseas in five different countries and now proving with the Knicks that he belongs in the NBA. Per 36 minutes this season, Copeland averaged 20.3 points per game and shot 42.1 percent from 3-point range. ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Chris Copeland 

Spencer envisions Copeland's value to be in the $3.5 to $5 million range. Spencer compared his client to Steve Novak, who's in about the $4 million range, and said that because Copeland is more versatile offensively as a stretch 4, he'll be an attractive free agent. In fact, a source familiar with Copeland's situation said three teams at this point are interested in negotiating with him come July 1. ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Chris Copeland 

Considering his numbers, versatility and a changing league bent on 3-pointers, Copeland may seek Steve Novak money, according to a person familiar with the situation. Novak landed a four-year, $16 million package last summer. Copeland has become a more versatile scorer — a 3-point specialist who can put the ball on the floor and score in the post. Novak got the big number from the Knicks because, through an appeal with the Player’s Association, they were awarded Novak’s early Bird rights. New York Post

New York Knicks, Steve Novak, Chris Copeland 

The Knicks won’t have any such rights in retaining the obscure Belgian Leaguer. The only other team that sent a scout last season to the Belgian League to watch Copeland was Miami, according to a source. It was quite a find by European scout Kevin Wilson, who is regarded highly in the organization. The Knicks will extend Copeland his $900,000 qualifying offer to keep him restricted so they can match an offer. But they may be prohibited from matching any offer more than $3 million. They would have to use one of their precious exceptions — the $1.9 million biannual exception or the $3 million mini mid-level exception given to luxury taxpayers. The Knicks don’t have the full $5 million mid-level because of their lousy cap situation. Copeland makes the league minimum, $473,000, this season. New York Post

New York Knicks, Steve Novak, Chris Copeland 

Nate Taylor: Mike Woodson said Chris Copeland will play & see the court early in the 1st half. Twitter @ByNateTaylor

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Chris Copeland 

Marc Berman: Copeland still wearing tape on his left shoulder, which is why had t-shirt. Said shoulder "could be better.'' Twitter @NYPost_Berman

New York Knicks, Injuries, Chris Copeland 

Howard Beck: Chris Copeland (East) and Damian Lillard (West) named Rookies of the Month. Twitter @HowardBeckNYT

New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard, Chris Copeland 

Frank Isola: Woodson wants to keep Jason Kidd, J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin as back-ups. Chris Copeland could replace Pablo Prigioni as a starter. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Kenyon Martin, Jason Kidd, J.R. Smith, Pablo Prigioni, Chris Copeland 

Q: You were a psychology major at Colorado. How did you decide to do that? That's not an easy major. Chris Copeland: I've always been pretty interested in the mind and how it works, the thought process. I'm quiet but I'm observant, so I pay attention to things. I took a couple of classes early on, I fell in love with it. It's definitely difficult, but it's fun. I learned a lot about myself, actually. It was cool. Q: Do you psychoanalyze your teammates, then? Chris Copeland: Truth be told, sometimes. Truth be told. But it's not something I tell them. I notice things and I might put a theory behind it or something. Cleveland Plain Dealer

New York Knicks, Chris Copeland 

Tina Cervasio: #Knicks Chris Copeland told me on Tues he took 2 hr train from London to Belgium to visit former team, said they r thrilled for him in #NBA Twitter @TinaCervasio

New York Knicks, Chris Copeland 

In May 1997, Copeland’s only sibling, Vincent Alphaquan, slipped into a coma when a drunk driver struck him in a hit-and-run accident on Central Avenue in East Orange, a few blocks from the Copelands’ home on South 18th Street in Newark. He regained consciousness for a couple days, but six weeks after the accident, he unexpectedly died. Vincent, engaged to marry that June, was 22. Copeland, whose father was absent, credits his brother — a basketball standout at Seton Hall Prep and Columbus High School in New York before he played at Jackson State — as his basketball inspiration. "I remember everything about him. He’s the reason I’m here today," Copeland said. "He put the ball in my hand, and I always had dreams of making it since." Newark Star-Ledger

New York Knicks, Chris Copeland 

But when his brother died, nothing seemed normal anymore. Upon their chance encounter with the coaches at Hermitage, Terry Copeland decided she and her son would leave New Jersey. They had only recently relocated to Edison from Newark. She quit her job as a senior administrator for Unity Hospice in Newark and packed their belongings. By October 1999, Chris was enrolled at Hermitage. His mother is now an accountant. "What happened that weekend when Chris met the coach and started playing the guys, he just kind of lifted a cloud off his head and he began to have maybe a little bit of sun and remember his life. His life," Terry Copeland said. "It was seeing him rejuvenated, thinking, this is going to work for Chris. This is going to help him. It’s over. We’re done. We’re out of Jersey. We’re moving." Newark Star-Ledger

New York Knicks, Chris Copeland 

The day after he got the word from the Knicks that he was staying, Copeland crossed the Hudson to Newark. He attended a service at Good Neighbor Baptist Church where his uncle, the Rev. George Blackwell, is a pastor. Afterward, Blackwell drove him to a cemetery in Belleville. Copeland wanted to share the news with his brother. Newark Star-Ledger

New York Knicks, Chris Copeland 

When Chris Copeland sees Celtics assistant coach Jay Larranaga on Monday night at the Garden, he will have a huge smile and hug awaiting. Without Larranaga's help in 2011 -- he was coaching the Knicks' D-League team, the Erie BayHawks, at the time -- Copeland would not be in a blue and orange uniform. "It was Jay Larranaga who really pushed the button," Copeland's agent, John Spencer, told ESPNNewYork.com. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Jay Larranaga, Chris Copeland 

While Larranaga wasn't available for an interview, he told ESPNNewYork.com he's "really happy for the success Chris is having." Copeland also gives major props to Spencer for first connecting with Larranaga. "He's a great dude," the rookie said. "I wouldn't be here today without the work John has done. He played overseas and knows the business." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Jay Larranaga, Chris Copeland