The New York Daily News files this nugget:

Eddy Curry met briefly with his agent, Leon Rose, before last night's game. Curry has been sidelined since the second game of the season with a bruised right knee. He is expected to be out another two weeks.

D'Antoni had removed Curry from the rotation before the Knick season opener.

There is interest in the center from the Spurs and Heat. Miami may be willing to trade D'Antoni favorite Shawn Marion, but a potential deal with Curry is complicated because their salaries don't match.

I'd do Marion for Curry and Quentin Richardson, or for Curry and Malik Rose. I'd really like to get Nate Robinson or David Lee involved, but that seems a little much.

Curry would fit in nicely at center next to natural power forward Udonis Haslem and Michael Beasley, who is starting to look more and more like a small forward with an advanced post game. There's obviously a lot to be concerned about with Curry, but he's a good post scorer and a wide body. Haslem and Beasley can help on the boards. It would be nice if Curry would step up his defense from non-existent to mediocre. Curry would also do well to drop a few pounds before Pat Riley sees him without his shirt on.

Curry's arrival and Marion's exit would end the necessary but unsustainable three-forward lineup the Heat currently fields. It could also help Miami stop donning the disguise of a running team and get back to the old smash-mouth brand of Heat basketball.

Plus, Curry's contract expires in the summer of 2010, so there's not a huge downside. Here are the scenarios, as I see them:

• Curry turns into an All-Star center, forming a deadly trio with Wade and Beasley. Miami uses free agency to fill needs rather than pursue a major target like Chris Bosh.
• Curry fills the need without turning into a star, and the Heat locks him up in a reasonable contract while still re-signing Dwyane Wade and bringing in a high-end free agent.
• Curry totally flames out and falls out of the rotation. The Heat is left with its current roster, save for shooters Daequan Cook and James Jones splitting time at small forward in Marion's place, and allows Curry's contract to expire in time for a major push in 2010 free agency.

Hard to see a downside to this deal, if you share my opinion that Marion will never have a clear, productive role with the Heat. And I don't think New York can do better for Curry than a contract-seeking Marion, an All-Star in the system Mike D'Antoni is instituting.