About Jon Barnes Expertise I am a native New Yorker and a season ticket holder from 1988-2002 when I moved to Indiana. I can pretty much tell you anything you want to know. I have witnessed history, from John Starks` "Dunk" to Reggie Miller`s 25 4th quarter points... Patricks missed finger-roll, LJ`s Four Point play... You name it about our beloved Knicks, I can answer it.
Expert: Jon Barnes Date: 7/19/2004 Subject: Sign and trade deals
Question I hear that the knicks are trying to do sign and trades for Jammal Crawford and Erick Dampier, but that they will only do one of the deals. My question is why won't it be possible for the knicks to complete both deals? they have never had a problem with taking on high contracts before.
Answer It is possible to do both deals. However it is unlikely with the pieces they have. Both Golden State and Chicago would want players with contracts that only have a year remaining to clear up cap space next summer. This limits the Knick pieces to Othella Harrington and Dikembe Mutombo. To get Dampier, the Knicks would give up Harrington and Nazr Mohammed, who is a servicable and reasonably priced back-up. That would only leave Mutombo to package with other players to get Crawford and, simply put, Chicago has no interest in any of the other players on the Knicks because of their contract status. So, for the reasons outlined above, it is possible to swing both deals but not on the terms to please both Golden State and Chicago.
