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Antonio: Spree's a keeperMarc Berman of the New York Post reports: A candid Antonio McDyess loves the Knicks just the way they are and would like them to keep Latrell Sprewell - and he sent that message to management loud and clear. During his introductory news conference yesterday, the 6-9 McDyess said he wanted to be in New York for the "long-term," believing that the core of himself, Allan Houston and Sprewell could compete for the Eastern title. McDyess also believes his experience in the rugged West could turn him into the East's best power forward. To make the draft-night deal work, McDyess waived the opt-out clause in his contract, which would have made him a free agent after next season. Now he has two years left on his pact, and he raised the possibility of a contract extension. Under the league's collective bargaining agreement, the Knicks can extend his pact in January. "I expect to be here long-term," McDyess said. "Hopefully, that will happen and it will work out for me to be here." McDyess also stated - emphatically - that the Knicks should keep Sprewell, whom the Knicks have been shopping heavily. "No question in my mind, Latrell and Allan are the two main reasons I wanted to come here," McDyess said. "They haven't asked me anything, but I think they probably know now because of how much I emphasized playing with those guys, that I would love for Sprewell to be here." With the All-Star trio, McDyess said the Knicks could win the East, even standing pat. Kurt Thomas and McDyess will form the frontcourt tandem and the Knicks would love to add restricted free agent Keon Clark with their $4.7 million mid-level exception. "I think it's going to be a combination with us three," said McDyess, Sprewell's fellow Alabama alumnus. "We can be one of the best teams in the East, by far. I think we're a great team right now. It can be better but whatever moves they're willing to make, I feel they're going to be good ones, if that's getting a center or not. If I've got to play center I would." An All-Star two seasons ago, McDyess thinks he'll be an All-Star again. "No doubt in my mind I can be one of the most or the most dominant power forwards in the East," McDyess said. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Knicks Ain't Done YetChris Berman tells us that the dealing isn't done. Running a hot streak after stealing power forward Antonio McDyess on Draft Night, Knicks GM Scott Layden has turned his attention to acquiring another center. Keon Clark's agent, Jim Mourer, said all things being equal, Keon would choose a warm-climate club - Florida or Texas. The Knicks may have to offer Clark the maximum length for the exception - a six-year, $35 million pact to have a chance. The Raptors can match any offer but are within $1 million of the luxury-tax threshold. Mourer said the McDyess deal enhances Clark's interest in New York. They were friends when both played in Denver. New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Layden Rolls The McDyessGreg Logan writes that ignoring calls from some quarters to tear down the Knicks' bloated salary structure and start over, Layden traded injury-prone center Marcus Camby to Denver for All-Star power forward Antonio McDyess during the NBA draft last night at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden. It's a move geared toward making an immediate turnaround after missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons. The deal almost was sidetracked when McDyess at first refused to make any promises about not exercising the opt-out clause in his contract after next season. It has two years to run at $12.6 million next season and $13.5 million in 2003-04. The trade wasn't completed until about five minutes before the Knicks had to pick, but agent Andy Miller said, "I anticipate [McDyess] will have a long career in New York." As part of the deal, the Knicks used the seventh pick to select Brazilian forward Maybyner (Nene) Hilario for the Nuggets. They also unloaded 37-year-old point guard Mark Jackson and the final two years of his contract. They received the 25th pick in the first round from the Nuggets, who used it to draft Illinois point guard Frank Williams for the Knicks. New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Knicks Jun 2002 Archive
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