Details of the language in Larry Brown's contract are not available, but it's unlikely he can be reassigned within the organization if he refuses a buyout, according to Greg Logan of Newsday.

If the Knicks elect to fire him, Brown would get the $40 million, but if he takes another job, it would be offset by his salary. For instance, a new team might pay him $3 million per year, and the Knicks would owe $7 million. Any team hiring Brown would have to pay "fair market value."

Considering Brown received a $7-million buyout from Detroit last summer before signing a five-year deal worth $50 million with the Knicks, he could, in essence, collect $57 million for one year of work in a 23-59 season. "The guy's a genius," the executive said. "He's a Houdini."

Another high-ranking NBA executive said Brown suspected he might be fired when he was denied a meeting with Dolan after the season. "The only sensible approach is to say he's coaching next year because if he says anything else, he's quitting," the second executive said. "And he won't quit."

The second executive suggested a buyout would be the best way for Brown to resolve the situation. "With the numbers we're talking about, he's getting a lot of money for one year," the second executive said. "If there's something in his head where he wants a chance to come back and rectify it, then they're at a stalemate.

"My feeling is it will get worked out, but this is the initial stance Joe Glass has to take. It's up to the franchise to come in and start negotiating."