Posted by Rich:
http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/26292.htm
CRAWFORD DEAL STILL UNFINISHED
By MARC BERMAN
August 5, 2004 -- While Erick Dampier was visiting Westchester yesterday talking about signing with the Knicks for the mid-level exception if need be, Jamal Crawford and his agent were still haggling over terms of their new Knicks contract.
Crawford's contract was not finalized, dragging this saga out another day to the point of nausea. The Bulls and Knicks finished off five weeks of intense sign-and-trade negotiations to finally produce a deal Tuesday, with Crawford and Jerome Williams coming to the Knicks for Dikembe Mutombo, Frank Williams, Othella Harrington and Cezary Trybanski. But it can't be officially consummated until Crawford signs, likely today.
"It's progressing but it's not there yet," an NBA source said.
In the new configuration of players, Crawford would have to make a little less in the first year to make the math work. So instead of the promised $55 million over six years, the Knicks needed to sign him for seven years, $56 million.
Aaron Goodwin, Crawford's agent, spent the day negotiating ways to add enticements to the contract such as a trade kicker, incentives, an opt-out clause, even a front-loaded payment. Goodwin, according to a source, also phoned multiple teams to see if there was interest he may have missed.
The delay yesterday was embarrassing. Isiah Thomas spent the day in Manhattan negotiating instead of with Dampier during his recruiting visit.
When Crawford signs, Thomas has to seriously consider whether he wants to balance the roster and offer Stephon Marbury to Toronto for Vince Carter, who's trying to force a trade to the Knicks.
A source said a third team will be needed if Thomas doesn't give up Marbury. A source close to Carter said, "Vince still wants out. And he'd very much like to play for the Knicks. He needs a change and he's willing to play for Lenny Wilkens."
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Tim Thomas and Jason Collins will renew acquaintances early when the Knicks face the Nets in their preseason opener at Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Oct. 14. The Knicks' first practice is Oct. 5 at College of Charleston. The preseason schedule is as follows: Oct. 14 vs. Nets, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Oct. 16 vs. San Antonio; Oct. 19 at Utah; Oct. 21 at Dallas; Oct. 22 vs. Minnesota at Sioux Falls, S.D.; Oct. 24 vs. Dallas; Oct. 26 at Nets; Oct. 28 vs. Utah.
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So true!
8/5/2004 1:31 AM