Newest Knick : Jamal Crawford

[GMANN]

CHICAGO (Ticker) - As expected, the Chicago Bulls re-signed guard Jamal Crawford on Thursday and traded him and forward Jerome Williams to the New York Knicks in a six-player deal.

The Bulls received centers Dikembe Mutombo and Cezary Trybanski, forward Othella Harrington and guard Frank Williams.

Terms were not disclosed, but the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Crawford agreed to a seven-year contract worth $56 million with the Bulls.

Bulls general manager John Paxson insisted on getting a package of players whose contracts expire after the 2004-05 season. Crawford became expendable when the Bulls selected guard Ben Gordon with the third pick in June's draft.

\"Over the course of these negotiations, we've stated all along that if we were going to move Jamal Crawford, it would be imperative for us to receive financial flexibility from a cap standpoint,\" Paxson said. \"Not only does this deal help us in that regard, but the players that we acquired have added depth to our roster and will help us this season.\"

Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas wanted the 6-5 Crawford as insurance for shooting guard Allan Houston, who was hobbled through most of last season after undergoing knee surgery.

The 6-5 Crawford, 24, averaged 17.3 points and 3.8 assists last season. His 165 3-pointers broke the franchise record and he was one of just four players to score 50 points in a game, producing 50 at Toronto on April 11.

The 6-9 Williams averaged 6.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 68 games for the Toronto Raptors and Bulls last season. The eight-year veteran has career averages of 6.9 points and 6.8 rebounds in 508 games for three different teams.

\"Our goal is to win the NBA Championship, and we think the additions of Jamal and Jerome will be important pieces in the buzzle,\" Thomas said. \"Both have the winning mentality to success as Knick players. Jamal has the ability to play both guard positions, and adds an additional scoring punch alongside Allan Houston and Stephon Marbury. Jerome is a proven, rugged veteran with playoff experience who will provide us consistency on a nightly basis.\"

The 7-2 Mutombo, who is joining his sixth team, is an eight-time All-Star and has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times. Last season the 38-year-old averaged 5.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.89 blocks.

The 6-3 Williams, who is entering his third season, averaged 3.9 points and 2.2 assists in 11.4 minutes for the Knicks last season.

\"Frank is a young player who hasn't played a lot in his two years in the league,\" Paxson said. \"Going into year three, we expect him to get a chance to play some minutes in our backcourt and he will have the opportunity to prove himself.\"

The 6-9 Harrington averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in a career-low 56 games for the Knicks last season, while the 7-2 Trybanski scored one point and grabbed one rebound in a combined seven games with Phoenix and New York last season.

Well....Its about time Knick management got off their ass and made a move, but I kinda liked Othella Harrington and Frank Williams.

The Knicks dont need another forward, they need a center. A big man who can at least be a threat on the offensive glass. I dont feel Mohammed is that threat.

Wonder how this is gonna work out for the Knicks.

[Hasegawa]

Knicks are still mediorce, glad Mutumbo is gone though. Here's to a nother sub-.500 season, boys. Maybe if we had some draft picks this year....fuck ass.

[Jimbo]

I really like the move...the only player they gave up worth anything is fwill but he would have been 3rd string on this team anyway...just keep barrett if you need a 3rd stringer...

i've heard lots of rumors about dampier coming here, especially for the mle, i think the knicks would be a pretty good team..especially in the east..

[dru]

jorge says as long as they have allan houston they will be a crappy team.

[GMANN]

If Houston stays healthy this year , and thats a huge IF, the Knicks will be pretty good. Marbury should give Houston plenty of open shots and shooting opportunities. Jamal Crawford is just a smart insurance deal on Isiah Thomas' part. I just wish they got themselves some sort of legitimate inside presence......a decent center.

Once again, at best, they're a first round playoff elimination.

[SO]

Houston's knees are still all fucked up, and he might not even be ready for the start of next season. Even if he is, he's still a 32 year old SG with bad knees making almost 20 million a year...

As for Dampier, he's considering signing a 1 year contract for the MLE but I just can't see that happening. Money talks, and the Hawks are offering 50 million for 6 years. The Knicks aren't that much better than the Hawks that it's worth turning down a guaranteed 45 million more...