Penny Hardaway will not be on the active roster tonight when the Knicks open the season in Boston, a move that stunned the veteran.

"I am a little shocked," he said. "If it's better for the team that's what I have to go with. I have to trust the coach is making the right decision and hopefully it won't be for long."

Hardaway, Jackie Butler and rookie David Lee have all been ruled inactive for tonight, but that is subject to change since Maurice Taylor is listed as questionable with a strained right knee. If Taylor is unable to play, either Lee or Butler would be on the active roster.

The list can change from game to game but the fact that Hardaway appears to be behind Matt Barnes and Trevor Ariza on the depth chart does not bode well for his future in New York. Last season, Hardaway and team president Isiah Thomas had a falling out that resulted in Hardaway leaving the team on two occasions.

Hardaway is in the last year of his contract and will either be traded or released by the February trading deadline. When asked if he would ask to be released if the Knicks keep him on the inactive list, Hardaway replied: "I don't know. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."