TORONTO, July 22 (UPI) -- Forward-center Keon Clark became an unrestricted free agent Monday after the Toronto Raptors
rescinded the qualifying offer they made less than a month ago.
"Withdrawing our qualifying offer best serves the interests of Keon Clark as well as the Raptors," general manager Glen Grunwald said. "We appreciate the contributions he has made to our organization, and this will enable him to pursue the best
possible opportunity without being encumbered by being a restricted free agent."
The New York Knicks are among the teams that have expressed interest in the 27-year-old Clark, who averaged a career-high 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.
While the Raptors would not dismiss the possibility of re-signing him, Grunwald said, "With the announcement of a decrease in the league's salary cap for next season, it is critical that we put together the best possible team now while maintaining flexibility to also improve along the way within the
framework of the luxury tax."
The 6-11, 221-pound Clark was acquired from the Denver Nuggets in January 2001 as part of a six-player trade.
