According to league and Knicks officials, David Kuchinsky is suspected of leading a gang of thieves to Eddy Curry's stash of jewelry when they invaded the Knick center's Chicago-area mansion two summers ago.

Those allegations were never proven and may be unfounded, based on the fact that Burr Ridge, Ill., police said at the time that Curry's wife was forced to answer questions about the location of the hidden jewelry.

Law enforcement officials believe it was an inside job, since the masked intruders apparently gained access to the house by entering through a door that had been left open. Kuchinsky lived in the basement at the time although he  never has been hit with any charges related to the incident.