The Knicks found out on Friday that Amar'e Stoudemire's surgically repaired knee would not be covered by insurance and notified Stoudemire on Monday that the team will not permit him to play on the national team this summer.

"There?s too big a risk out there," Donnie Walsh said.

Stoudemire had microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2005.  He was signed to a maximum-salary contract by New York earlier this month.