NBA Franchise Notes: Knicks Opt Not To Release Allan Houston

In N.Y., Frank Isola reports the Knicks decided not to use the “amnesty rule” to release G Allan Houston, which would have saved the team $40M in luxury tax payments, instead waiving F Jerome Williams in a move that the team said saved $21,317,000. Isola notes Cablevision President & CEO James Dolan “was instrumental in sparing Houston, a player he has grown close to over the past five years” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/16).

RICKY BEING RICKY: In Boston, Shira Springer reported Celtics F Ricky Davis bought several season tickets in the lower bowl of TD Banknorth Garden “after expressing an interest in becoming more involved in the community.” Davis Splans to give them to the ‘most passionate and dedicated [Celtics] and Ricky Davis fans’ he can find.” Fans can submit a form of 250 words or less “describing why they love Davis and the Celtics, and suggest a name for the Davis fan section.” Davis will pick the entries “he likes most and invite those fans to audition” for the tickets (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/14).