Isiah Makes His Move

The Knicks may be closer to adding some of the key free agents that they have pursuing all summer. According to various press reports, the Knicks and Bulls have agreed in principle to a deal that would send a newly resigned Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams to the Big Apple for Dikembe Mutombo, Othella Harrington, Cezary Trybanski and Frank Williams. All four of the Knicks in the deal have contracts that expire at the end of the season. Knicks GM Isiah Thomas had wanted to include Shandon Anderson in the deal, but not even Bulls GM John Paxson is crazy enough to take on the rest of his contract.

At this point, the only thing holding up the deal is Crawford's contract, said to be in the range of 6 years for $55 million. Some reports have this as a seven year deal which would mean less money for Crawford.

Harrington was supposed to be the centerpiece of a proposed deal for Golden State big man Erick Dampier, but the latest press reports have Dampier and former Net Evan Eschmeyer headed to NYC for a package of Kurt Thomas and Nazr Mohammed. If Golden State will not agree to the deal, Dampier has threatened to sign a one year contract worth slightly less than $5 million. There are even some rumors that once Crawford is in the fold, Isiah will try and trade Stephon Marbury to the Raptors for Vince Carter. Stay tuned Knicks fans, this is just beginning.

Also, the Knicks are close to resigning Vin Baker to a one year deal worth $3 million.