Antoine Walker looking at options

Agent: Playing status with Mavs won't affect forward's future
11:14 PM CDT on Wednesday, June 2, 2004
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Antoine Walker's agent said his player's future will not be affected by the Mavericks' desire to bench him next season.
The Mavericks, according to sources close to the team, have decided Walker will come off the bench if he plays for Dallas next season.
"If they decide to play him 20 minutes, people will understand why," said Michael Higgins, Walker's agent. "He's not a second-year player. He's almost a veteran and a three-time All-Star. People know what he's capable of doing."

The Mavericks have made no secret that Walker, who finished last season as the starting center, will be available via trade this off-season.

"Clearly, he has options," Higgins said. "He can opt out of the contract. We're looking at all the possibilities now. But the one thing I know for sure is that Antoine is not going to get into the rhetoric. Regardless of what the role is, we will do what is best for Antoine. He's intending to be a Maverick next season. If that changes, then we'll adjust. They can talk about a diminished role. But the season is a long way away."

Higgins also said he believes that exposing Walker to the expansion draft would have no impact on Walker's situation. He noted that Walker's $14.5 million salary would be nearly half of Charlotte's total salary cap in its first season.
link