Source: New York Post

While saying he is still "open to everything'', Steve Nash acknowledged money will be a big factor in his free-agent decision and admitted former coach Mike D'Antoni would have been a plus for the Knicks' chances of landing him.

The Knicks have neither - a large amount of money to offer nor D'Antoni, making them a longshot. Nash's coach in Phoenix resigned in March after his feud with Carmelo Anthony.

If Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak have their Bird rights on July 1st, as awarded by an arbitrator, the Knicks will have a mid-level exception to dangle at Nash. However, that mid-level exception could be only $3 million - not $5 million - depending on their payroll size after Lin's and Novak's signings.

Either way, Nash is expected to get larger offers, especially from his club, Phoenix. Certainly, a $3 million mid-level offer won't be competitive.

Appearing on ESPN Radio on Monday to promote his soccer tournament Wednesday in Chinatown, Nash was asked whether winning a title or being compensated financially was more important. Most athletes talk about winning a title as the only driving force but Nash didn't go down that road.

"I definitely feel I want to be validated monetarily to an extent,'' Nash said. "It's still very important. I think money in many ways represents respect. For example, if you sign with a team and take half or less money, six months later they trade you. It has to be one of the factors. It's not everything but it is important and will be one of the factors involved.''

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