The Knicks made a qualifying offer to Chris Copeland Tuesday but he has interest from a number of teams, his agent told SNY.tv Tuesday.
Agent John Spencer confirmed that the Knicks offered $988,872 to Copeland, who is a restricted free agent and can begin negotiating with other teams on July 1.
The Knicks can match any offer up to $3.1 million — the mid-level exception.
“Chris’s preference is to be in place where he can play and really go out and make a contribution,” Spencer told SNY.tv.
A New Jersey native,Copeland averaged 8.7 points in the regular season and 6.2 points in the playoffs, when he was given an expanded role in the second round against the Indiana Pacers.
“He’s a very loyal guy,” Spencer said. “He would love to come back to the Knicks. They gave him an opportunity to play and a lot of firsts for him happened there. He has that sense of loyalty.
“He turned down a lot of money to play in New York last year. It would not surprise me if Chris turned down a lot of money to stay in New York. It’s really about circumstances and situations.”
Spencer said Copeland was working out today (Tuesday) at the Knicks practice facility after attending Iman Shumpert’s camp in White Plains.
Spencer indicated that a published report that Copeland might fly the coup to play for the New Orleans Pelicans might be overblown.
“The Pelicans do have some interest,” Spencer said. “I think some other teams will have some interest as well.”
Spencer and Copeland will be open for business come July 1.
