http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/story/222498p-191175c.html

Isiah takes last shot at Dampier

BY MITCH LAWRENCE
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Their chances are considered slim, if not none, but the Knicks could find out as soon as today if Erick Dampier is going to wind up as their starting center for next season.

Returning to work after moving into his Westchester home last week, team president Isiah Thomas is expected to talk to Dampier and his agent, Dan Fegan, in what could be a last-ditch effort to work the impossible.

For nearly two months, Thomas has been unable to work a sign-and-trade with Golden State, and nothing has changed on that front. The Warriors have no interest in Kurt Thomas or anyone else that Thomas has offered. So Isiah Thomas somehow will have to convince Dampier to take the mid-level exception, starting at around $5 million, rather than the four-year, $40 million standing offer that the Atlanta Hawks have on the table.

Several league sources said that Dampier, 30, who walked away from $17 million that he had coming to him from the Warriors over the next two years in order to gain his free agency this summer, is not about to pass up the Hawks' money.

Memphis has also tried to land Dampier, who attended the Grizzlies' two home playoff losses to San Antonio and comes from Monticello, Miss. But as much as team president Jerry West wants to get him and move Pau Gasol to power forward, the Grizzlies have been unable to strike a deal with the Warriors. One person with knowledge of the trade talks said last night that Memphis is out of the running, adding, "We all expect Dampier to go to Atlanta. They've got more money than anybody else."

Other than getting the 6-11 Dampier, whom many see as a good rebounder but a career underachiever, the Knicks have no other options to upgrade at center. They might have to go into the season again starting the 6-10 Nazr Mohammed, who is more suited to coming off the bench as a reserve power forward.

While Thomas keeps his fingers crossed on Dampier, the Knicks are almost certain to re-sign Vin Baker this week. The two sides have had an agreement for the last several weeks, with the backup forward expected to get a two-year deal worth slightly more than $3.2 million. Baker's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said yesterday that Baker and the Knicks should make it formal tomorrow or Wednesday, regardless of what happens with Dampier. Only Cleveland has shown interest in Baker during the offseason.

Originally published on August 16, 2004

well, we'll know in a few days. it would have been nice to see a player sacrifice his paycheck to play in NYC. Seems that it won't happen. I wish him the best when he'll play in front of the 7 hawks fans. (front office included).

If Dampier was smart he'd sign a 6yr MLE with the Knicks with an opt out after two. The Hawks are only offering 4yrs and $40 million, a full MLE is six years $39 million. So if Damps gets hurt the guaranteed money is almost the same, meanwhile, in two years the Knicks can rip up his current deal and give him a four or five year deal starting at $9.5 million, which would be worth either $43 or $55 million. He'll get more money from the Knicks. Name one Knicks player EVER who was underpaid for their career. Damps should wake up. If he comes here, he'll get his money eventually.

Posted by fishmike:

opt outs dont work like that. I think you can only opt of of the last third of your contract. A 6 year deal could include an opt out after year 4. A 3 year deal after year 2, ect.

I think you are correct on this.

This should be interesting, he's about to get a lot of people mad if he signs with atlanta because when he visited NY 2 weeks ago he said it wasnt about the money anymore for him, so we shall see what happens.

He never meant anything against dampier's decision.

We all understand the move to get moremoney, we're just the ones who loose because of it.

In the other hand, he won't have a chance to play for the Knicks, in NYC at the time they were reborn.

Hopefully this isn't another Crawford situation with papers saying, "It could be finished as soon as today" and drag on for another 2-3 weeks.

I remember stockon saying once, when he lowered his salary so that the jazz didn't pay the luxury tax, asked by a reporter if it wasn't too hard he said that his family wouldn't be hurting from the lack of food, so it was no big deal.

The nba is so greedy that sometimes it's frightening. Sad thing is when guys like dampoier (career underachiever), derek fisher, adonal foyle.... and so on, get multimillions contracts though they're clearly not among the elite.

Seems like dollars grow on trees.

The renegotiation of the NBA CBA next year (I think) could have alot to do with Dampier wanting to sign a longer term large (guarenteed) money deal. It's possible that the new CBA will restrict the $$ that the players can get.

If (When?) Damps signs w/ Atlanta for the $$, I won't be mad at him for wanting to make as a much as he can -- that's his right -- I'll be mad at him for lying about what motivates him and playing out the stupid charade that strung us NY fans and NY management along for no purpose. Atlanta didn't raise its offer, did it? What did he get out flirting with the Knicks?

I'll also believe that he is money-motivated and had his breakout year last season because it was his contract year and will be relieved we're not stuck w/ him and a long-term contract.

Would be happy to swallow all these words if he comes to NY for less.

you are from the NY area. it's tough to say that you would take 5mm a year instead of 10 when you realize how much you can do in terms of charity thats 5mm more per year you can use to help people. now i know there is a lot of posturing in negotiations and perhaps dampier wants to come here, but realistically taking the extra 5mm is the right thing to do. so to hate a guy who gives millions to charity via his basketball pay just because he couldnt get here via a deal is a tad shallow