http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1851712

Nothing new I guess....but a story.

Hawks still not out of the picture:

By Ric Bucher
ESPN The Magazine

Free-agent center Erick Dampier will fly to New York tomorrow to meet with the Knicks in hopes of finalizing a sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors or, barring Golden State's cooperation, agreeing to a one-year contract for the mid-level exception of $4.9 million.


The Atlanta Hawks, the only other legitimate suitors for Dampier, have the salary-cap room to offer considerably more than that, but have yet to do so.



Dampier, right, would like to go to the Big Apple one way or the other.


Dampier's agent, Dan Fegan, said the Hawks have become more attractive to his client with the acquisition of Al Harrington from the Pacers and a pending deal with Dallas that would bring in power forward Antoine Walker. However, Fegan added, the only team Dampier would consider signing with for the mid-level exception is the Knicks because of team president Isiah Thomas' diligent pursuit of Dampier since free agency began July 1.


Dampier opted out of the final two years of a seven-year, $48 million deal with the Warriors that would have paid him $8.1 million this season and $8.7 million in 2005-06. The Warriors, according to sources, have refused to participate in sign-and-trade deals for Dampier with teams in the Western Conference, which pre-empted offers from both the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies.

Posted by s3231:

If Isiah can somehow get Damp via the MLE for a year, that would definitely be huge. A team consisting of

Dampier-Mohammed
K. Thomas-Sweetney
T. Thomas-Ariza-Anderson
Houston-Crawford-Demarr
Marbury-Hardaway-Norris


would be a good team with a lot of depth. I heard on the FAN that Dampier is suppossed to adress the media later on after he works out for us, hopefully he will announce that he is gonna sign with us for the MLE for a year.

Hopefully, and that would almost guarantee a Dampier playing at his best because he again has a contract to play for. That is, of course, if he really is like those players that only does his best on a contract year.

Posted by Starks3:

Quick Question, If we are signing Vin Baker to 3 million a year as reported by alot of newspapers, doesn't that take our mid level away thus meaning we cant offer Dampier that?

yes...which is why Isiah is holding off on using the MLE on ANYONE until he knows for sure what the verdict is in the Dampier situation...

but i have no confidence that he'd agree to signing a MLE to play here...it will end up being a sign & trade for KT & Nazr for Dampier & Esch if anything...if not, i think he ends up in ATL.

TMS summed it up well. We're not going to resign Baker until we find out if we can get Dampier for the MLE.

according to WFAN, erick dampier will be meeting with the media after his workout with the knicks this afternoon.

(possibly to announce he's signing a 1 year/ $4.9 mil deal?)

I hope Crawford gets inked soon.An improved lineup would be more of an incentive to play here.

no way will he use the LLE to sign Barrett...he'll get the league minimum if anything...but i agree, it's amazing how much roster turnover we've had since Isiah's been here...there was a time i thought we would be doomed to live w/that sorry roster that Layden put together for the next several years...it's scary to think back on those times.

So let me get this straight--- Dampier opted out of a guaranteed 16+million over the next 2 years so he could sign for the MLE?!!?

Posted by technomaster:

So let me get this straight--- Dampier opted out of a guaranteed 16+million over the next 2 years so he could sign for the MLE?!!?

Maybe he wanted out of a bad situation, and don't you think that Isiah has promised to wink wink take care of him? He'll get his money here, he just has to decide if he wants to be a winner or an also ran.

FAN just reported that Dampier will have dinner with Isiah and is considering signing with the Knicks because Atlanta is committed to rebuilding. Hmmm.