I have to wonder just who would want to trade for him considering the contract he has. 
PHOENIX -- Stephon Marbury left the New York Knicks on Tuesday, fueling speculation that his future with the team is in doubt.
The point guard reportedly sent two text messages to the New York Post saying that he had permission to leave the team in Phoenix and fly back to New York. He arrived at approximately 4 p.m.
"I have one thing to say, and that's I got permission to leave," Marbury wrote. "I would never leave my team on my own. What I'm telling you is that I got permission to leave from Isiah. He said I could go home. God bless. Peace be with you."
The Knicks said that coach Isiah Thomas would address the situation before Tuesday night's game against the Suns.
Marbury indicated that he would likely not join the team for Wednesday's game against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
"No, I'm not coming to LA as of now," he said.
Several area media outlets reported earlier on Tuesday that Marbury had missed the Knicks' morning practice.
Thomas told reporters on Tuesday that Mardy Collins would start in Marbury's place Tuesday night against the Suns.
Thomas declined to comment on reports in the New York Daily News earlier Tuesday that Marbury's role would be "reduced" and that there had been discussions to try to move Marbury.
Marbury's contract is worth $42 million over the next two seasons. If the Knicks buy out Marbury, he'd be a free agent. He could also be traded.
Ironically, Marbury and Thomas are both represented by agent Jordan Bazant. Bazant has not returned a phone call from 1050 ESPN New York seeking comment.
"Any type of penalty or suspension will be in-house and we'll try to keep it within the confines of our team. This is an in-house matter with our team and we'll keep it and leave it at that," Thomas told reporters. "We hope to see [Marbury] tonight at the game. However, if he's not, make no mistake about it, we want him as a member of our basketball team."
Marbury came to Phoenix with his Knicks teammates on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, his whereabouts created confusion. Thomas told reporters he was unsure if Marbury was still in Phoenix, and Knicks vice president of public relations Jonathan Supranowitz said Marbury was "doubtful" in an interview with 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand.
The game against the Suns is the first of four on a West Coast swing for New York.
Thomas said this was not the first time this kind of incident has happened.
"It seems like he and I go through this every November, then a couple of weeks go by and we kind of kiss and make up, then we go back to the business of trying to win basketball games," he said.
The point guard reportedly sent two text messages to the New York Post saying that he had permission to leave the team in Phoenix and fly back to New York. He arrived at approximately 4 p.m.
"I have one thing to say, and that's I got permission to leave," Marbury wrote. "I would never leave my team on my own. What I'm telling you is that I got permission to leave from Isiah. He said I could go home. God bless. Peace be with you."
The Knicks said that coach Isiah Thomas would address the situation before Tuesday night's game against the Suns.
Marbury indicated that he would likely not join the team for Wednesday's game against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
"No, I'm not coming to LA as of now," he said.
Several area media outlets reported earlier on Tuesday that Marbury had missed the Knicks' morning practice.
Thomas told reporters on Tuesday that Mardy Collins would start in Marbury's place Tuesday night against the Suns.
Thomas declined to comment on reports in the New York Daily News earlier Tuesday that Marbury's role would be "reduced" and that there had been discussions to try to move Marbury.
Marbury's contract is worth $42 million over the next two seasons. If the Knicks buy out Marbury, he'd be a free agent. He could also be traded.
Ironically, Marbury and Thomas are both represented by agent Jordan Bazant. Bazant has not returned a phone call from 1050 ESPN New York seeking comment.
"Any type of penalty or suspension will be in-house and we'll try to keep it within the confines of our team. This is an in-house matter with our team and we'll keep it and leave it at that," Thomas told reporters. "We hope to see [Marbury] tonight at the game. However, if he's not, make no mistake about it, we want him as a member of our basketball team."
Marbury came to Phoenix with his Knicks teammates on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, his whereabouts created confusion. Thomas told reporters he was unsure if Marbury was still in Phoenix, and Knicks vice president of public relations Jonathan Supranowitz said Marbury was "doubtful" in an interview with 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand.
The game against the Suns is the first of four on a West Coast swing for New York.
Thomas said this was not the first time this kind of incident has happened.
"It seems like he and I go through this every November, then a couple of weeks go by and we kind of kiss and make up, then we go back to the business of trying to win basketball games," he said.