KNICKS WILL BE BUSY
By MARC BERMAN
June 30, 2003 -- Beware, Kurt Thomas, Latrell Sprewell and Charlie Ward. The Knicks plan to carry momentum from Thursday night's draft and make some July splashes as free agency begins tomorrow.
In a 2003 free-agent class much deeper than last summer's, the Knicks prefer to execute a sign-and-trade rather than use their $4.9 million mid-level exception. (They may have to use some of that exception for 7-foot rookie small forward Maciej Lampe).
"We have to do more," Don Chaney said. "To be honest with you, we probably will make some trades and that will determine where we are. I'm very positive we will make some trades."
The Knicks' immediate needs haven't changed much since the draft, though it would be absurd to land another power forward. The drafting of Mike Sweetney at No. 9 is enough Antonio McDyess insurance, but it still left the club undersized at the three frontcourt positions.
So Sprewell and Thomas are not safe. The Knicks would love to get longer at small forward and center and maybe add quickness at point guard. Ward will have immense trade value for a payroll-trimming club because of a buyout clause in his contract.
The Knicks are intrigued by restricted free agent Lamar Odom, a 6-9 small forward who would provide much-needed athleticism. It would take a sign-and-trade to make it happen because the Clippers will probably match a mid-level exception offer.
The Clippers haven't shown much interest in Sprewell and if the Knicks dealt Thomas, they'd have no center. So GM Scott Layden probably has to offer up the rights to point-guard-of-the-future Milos Vujanic.
Lampe could solve the Knicks' frontcourt size woes for the next 15 years, especially if positioned at small forward because of his perimeter-shooting grace. But counting on an impact for next season is a gamble. Chaney talks as if it's possible but indicated the free-agent plan may hinge on how quickly the team can work out a buyout with Real Madrid.
When asked about free agency, Chaney said, "I don't think I can do anything until I find out if guys we drafted will be there. It's hard right now."
Gary Payton and Andre Miller are the best two free-agent point guards. Payton, sources say, doesn't want to play in New York, while Miller will get an offer greater than the midlevel exception from under-the-cap Utah.
As for centers, Layden has long pursued Brad Miller, who is out of his mid-level league. Chaney adores 6-11 P.J. Brown but he's best at power forward. Brown could play pivot, though, for the undersized Knicks.
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