http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-040727bulls,1,2181379.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

Bulls, Knicks chiefs to meet
Hope to resolve Crawford deal
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter

July 26, 2004, 9:37 PM CDT


Knicks President Isiah Thomas and Bulls general manager John Paxson are expected to meet Tuesday or Wednesday in Chicago to try to resolve the stalled sign-and-trade talks for restricted free agent Jamal Crawford.

Many permutations of a trade have been discussed, and the meeting is viewed as a chance to narrow the focus. Agent Aaron Goodwin is confident the two former rivals from their playing days can consummate a deal.

The Bulls have adamantly refused to take the contract of Moochie Norris. They also haven't budged off their philosophical point of needing financial relief and contracts friendly to the salary cap in exchange for Crawford.

Bulls management acknowledges that Crawford, the team's leading scorer last season, is the best talent in the deal. But he is viewed as a poor fit in the culture Paxson is trying to establish.

Thomas is a Chicago native who also owns a home in Indianapolis, where he once coached the Pacers. That he is traveling here has created a sense of optimism that he will meet Paxson's demands.

The Bulls own Crawford's rights for next season, and thus the power in sign-and-trade talks.

Well, lets see if a face to face meeting, along with the help of Crawford's agent, can get a good deal for both teams done. Chicago should really trade him, its just a matter of finding the right deal. But as always, we'll see what happens soon...

If Isiah can add Jamal to a core of Stephon and Sweetney, it's a start. Whether they add Dampier this year, or get a big man with Penny or Timmy's contract next year, getting Crawford would give them some TIME to build.

Get Jamal, Zeke! Go get him!

This better get done, I'm so sick of hearing the latest "update" that the sites are debating ove MOOCHIE NORRIS. Just get it done.

With the comments on getting the center, wouldn't acquiring Antoine Walker help that? He's another huge expiring contract who could be dealt come deadline time.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/story/216128p-186020c.html

Isiah off to fetch
Jamal from Bulls

Isiah Thomas is headed for Chicago and he's apparently not leaving until he has Jamal Crawford in a Knicks' uniform.

Thomas is expected to meet face-to-face with Bulls GM John Paxson today in Thomas' hometown, where the two executives hope to finalize the long-rumored sign-and-trade for Crawford, the restricted free-agent guard. Crawford's agent, Aaron Goodwin, also is expected to attend the meeting.

The development is an obvious sign that Thomas and Paxson are committed to getting a deal done and that the Knicks have little chance of acquiring Golden State center Erick Dampier in a sign-and-trade. A deal for Crawford would have to include Othella Harrington, who also was being used as trade bait in a proposed deal for Dampier.

Harrington, Dikembe Mutombo, Frank Williams and Cezary Trybanski all have expiring contracts, which appeals to Paxson. Thomas wants to substitute Moochie Norris for Mutombo but Paxson has refused the offer.

Shandon Anderson also would be sent to Chicago if the deal includes both Jerome Williams and Eddie Robinson in addition to Crawford. Crawford's deal would be $65 million over six years.

In another development, free-agent forward Rodney White said he wants to sign with either the Knicks or the Kings. White, who spent last season in Denver, met with Thomas two weeks ago in Long Beach, Calif.

Frank Isola

Originally published on July 27, 2004

Actually, it happened last year.

With Sweetney, Lampe, Vujanic, and Frank Williams, we had 4/5 of a young starting core. :) There was also the super prospect Vranes... destined to be a fan favorite.

What happened to our fab-5 of the future? As it stands now:
Sweetney showed flashes late in the season and was fantastic during the summer league games-- might be ready to start and perhaps dominate?

Frank Williams had some solid flashes of brilliance until the Marbury trade, looked like he might be a legit starting PG (remember the comparisons to Clyde?!). His career growth has been repeatedly stunted by injuries at the most inopportune times.

Lampe showed improvement during the summer league games and might crack the Phoenix rotation (at the ripe old age of 19)

Vujanic continued his excellent play overseas, but with Nash arriving in Phoenix, it looks like his rights will eventually be traded elsewhere (who knows if he'll ever arrive)

Where is Vranes nowadays? You'd think with his height he'd find a job somewhere--- yeah, you can't teach height... or coordination (to an adult)

Posted by MaTT4281:

idk if u could consider that a core...not when Sweets/Lampe/Vranes are on the IL, Fwill is playing behind Ward and, *gasp* eisley, and Vujanic still isn't on this continent.

[Edited by - MaTT4281 on 07/27/2004 13:53:14]

Exactly; the team had NO young core before Isiah got here but now has begun to acquire and develop young players that we should be excited about

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 07/27/2004 14:22:34]

oh jeez we still talking about this?

Its a great trade because Daddy War bucks opened up and took a ton of salary back. It was never a talent for talent trade to begin with.


Knix were willing to pick up the tab, such was the deal.

Clearly, you don't watch the Knicks. What are you, like a Celtics fan or something? Oh, I know, the Lakers.

Posted by fishmike:

On a side note looks like Islefan's hero Jerry West is a self promoting backstabbing ego maniac.

LOL! Good one Fish

What double standard might that be? The one where if people come here completely effusive with their praise for every Knick move, it's ok but if someone comes here with even the slightest criticism they're told to have patience and wait 2-3 years before they criticize anything?