KNICKS ARE SET TO SAY SPREE YA
By MARC BERMAN
July 23, 2003 -- Latrell Sprewell's career with the Knicks is all but over. In an attempt to get younger and longer in their undersized frontcourt, the Knicks are set to obtain 6-10 Keith Van Horn while sending Sprewell packing for the Twin Cities.
Several sources confirmed the Knicks are on the verge of sending Sprewell to Minnesota in a four-team deal that would bring the Sixers' Van Horn to New York. The deal could be finalized today or tomorrow.
Atlanta would get cap relief in obtaining Terrell Brandon's $11.2 million contract. Atlanta's Glenn Robinson and Minnesota's Marc Jackson would head to Philly. The Spurs, who tried to get Sprewell, would be shut out. The Mavericks are making a late push to get involved but won't get there.
The Knicks deny owner James Dolan wants Sprewell gone because of his rebellious ways.
Don Chaney wants to play Van Horn at small forward. If all works out and Antonio McDyess returns, a frontcourt of Kurt Thomas, Dice and Van Horn is one of the biggest in the East. Even without McDyess, the Knicks' frontcourt no longer is as undersized with Van Horn. Chaney believes Van Horn can play the "3", though he believes they'd have to cover for him defensively against quicker players. Van Horn will be 28 in October; Sprewell 33 in September.
In a candid interview with The Post at last week's Boston summer league, Chaney said, "I hope something can be worked out. I've always liked [Keith]. A lot of people are highly critical of him. I like the way he plays. He gives you a different look on things. He's a great offensive rebounder and hits the open shots. He creates situations. A lot of people dwell on the negatives."
Because he played out of position at small forward at 6-5, Sprewell's value on the club had decreased. When the Knicks had bigger players in the frontcourt, such as Patrick Ewing and Marcus Camby, Sprewell's size did not hurt as much.
There may be minor pieces added to the trade. The deal could break down in the next 24 hours if Wolves GM Kevin McHale finds a better offer for Brandon's contract that stands to save the Hawks $11 million. The other delay likely is getting Atlanta's approval since the team is changing owners.
Ironically, McHale said last summer he'd never trade for Sprewell, who now will play in the same starting lineup as Wally Szczerbiak, one of his arch-rivals. In another irony, the Knicks nearly traded Sprewell for Robinson last July.
Brandon will retire, with insurance paying most of the pact, a great cost-cutter for Atlanta.
The Knicks would neither confirm or deny the proposed trade. "Nothing is planned, we're still talking to a lot of teams," a Knicks official said.
The Hawks' sudden involvement came the day The Post reported center Theo Ratliff wanted out of the Hawks, partly because of disenchantment with Robinson.
The Knicks have wanted Van Horn since last February's trading deadline. Philly ended talks because it didn't want a Sprewell-for-Van Horn swap back then.
The Knicks want Van Horn for his size and offensive rebounding. "He was the No. 2 pick," Chaney said in Boston. "Everybody wanted him to take over games. When it didn't happen, they started picking him apart. I don't know if he's one of those guys who can handle a lot of criticism."
Which is why some think he's not a good New York fit. "I think he can play both the 3 and 4," Chaney added. "You may have to protect him defensively. He gives you a great dimension if you put him at the 3 spot."
Last week, talks between the Spurs, Knicks and Sixers broke down. So the Knicks kept plugging away. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich desperately wants to get Sprewell, but they wouldn't part with Manu Ginobili or Malik Rose. Even though 6-7 Stephen Jackson is younger and longer than Sprewell, the Knicks can't make that swap because Sprewell still is very popular and the idea is to trade him to get bigger.
Layden has not made a trade in 13 months, dating to the McDyess deal. Layden has been unable to get Indiana to work a sign-and-trade for free-agent Brad Miller, who appears headed to either Utah or Denver for at least $7 million per.
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