Pro Basketball

Patrick Ewing, who reportedly turned down a $6-million-a-year contract offer from the New York Knicks, says his argument with the team is not about money but about freedom of choice.

“I do not feel I could meaningfully evaluate financial offers with the Knicks without knowing if I can fully exercise the basic rights which I bargained for in 1985,” Ewing said in a statement issued by his agent, David Falk.

An arbitration hearing on July 22 will determine if Ewing’s 10-year, $32-million contract makes him one of the league’s four highest-paid players. If he isn’t, he can become a restricted free agent now and an unrestricted free agent after next season.