Frank Isola speculates that if Eddy Curry has a healthy and productive season, he could forgo the last season of his contract in order to seek a long-term deal next summer.

Curry has an option that would pay him more than $11 million next season.  The Knicks would gladly apply the additional cap space to their 2010 free-agent pursuits.

It has been considered a given that Curry would opt in for the 2010-2011 season because he undoubtedly would take a loss in that season under any new contract.  What is not clear is whether the prospect of signing a new multi-year contract would be enough reason to convince Curry to elect to become a free-agent next summer.

One factor that could come into play is the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement after 2010.  A new CBA, one that is expected to be less favorable to the players, will govern free-agency in 2011.