NEW YORK, September 30, 2002 -- The New York Knickerbockers have signed six free agents: center Todd Lindeman, forwards Tim James and Mark Pope and guards Toby Bailey, Danny Johnson and Jemeil Rich, Knicks President and General Manager Scott Layden announced today. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Bailey, 26, is a two-year NBA veteran who played for the Phoenix Suns. In 73 career games, the 6-6, 213-pound point guard has averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds. Before becoming the 45th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft out of UCLA, he finished his collegiate career as the school's all-time leading scorer and was a member of the 1995 NCAA Championship team.

James, 25, is a three-year NBA veteran who played for Miami, Charlotte and Philadelphia. In 43 career games, the 6-7, 214-pound forward has averaged 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds. Before becoming the 25th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft out of Miami University, he was named Big East Co-Player of the Year as a senior and finished as the school’s fourth all-time leading scorer.

Johnson, 26, is an NBA rookie who played in the Philippines, for the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBDL and the Dakota Wizards of the CBA during the 2001-02 season. The 6-3, 200-pound guard is a member of two IBL Championship teams with the St. Louis Swarm and was named 2000 IBL Rookie of the Year.

Lindeman, 30, is an NBA rookie who played for Pallacanestro Cantu in Italy last season. The 7-foot, 265-pound center averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in 33 games. Also on the Knicks’ entry at Shaw’s Boston Summer Pro League roster, he averaged 3.3 points and 1.2 rebounds. Lindeman is a four-year CBA veteran after playing four seasons at Indiana University.

Pope, 29, is a four-year NBA veteran who played for Indiana and Milwaukee. In 140 career games, the 6-10, 235-pound forward has averaged 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds. Before becoming the 52nd oiverall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, he was a member of the 1996 NCAA Championship team.

Rich, 27, is an NBA rookie who played for Napoli in Italy last season. The 5-10, 170-pound guard averaged 14.7 points, 2.1 assists and 2.59 steals in 17 games. For the past three seasons, he played overseas in Lithuania, Switzerland and Italy, after finishing his college career at Southern Methodist University.

The roster now stands at 19.

I'm intrigued a little by Toby Bailey. He's a very large point guard and has had NBA experience. I doubt we'll find any standouts out of this group, but the more players you experiment with the more likely you are to find a surprise player.

They must also be looking for some runners since the offense is going to change, but I wouldnt be surprised if these guys dont make the squad or just ride the bench. Hopefully one of them will stand out.

Almost certainly these guys were signed to non-guarenteed contracts, so they will probably be cut before the season starts and not be paid very much at all.

I think those 6 are just practice players....nothing more. The price of those veterans you named will be coming down every day that goes by. Layden would do well to wait it out.

Posted by Knixkik:

I doubt these players will make the team. I just wish Layden would stop wasting his time on those players and sign someone like Rod Strickland, Jimmy Jackson, or Tyrone Nesby. Theres still talent out there he just must recognize it.