KNICKS PURSUE WARRIORS' DAMPIER
By MARC BERMAN
July 17, 2004 -- The Erick Dampier sweepstakes heated up in the Knicks' favor yesterday as team president Isiah Thomas made Golden State what one league official termed "a strong offer" — Nazr Mohammed and Othella Harrington — for the 7-foot Shaq stopper.
The offer seems to be a better one than the proposal the Pacers recently had rejected — Austin Croshere and Scott Pollard. Warrior GM Chris Mullin likes Croshere but has asked for Jonathan Bender, whom Pacer president Donnie Walsh won't include, a source said.
The Hawks, who are under the salary cap and can sign Dampier outright without needing a sign-and-trade, are waiting to see if the Knicks or Pacers can work out a trade before they strike. Hawks GM Billy Knight — along with Walsh — drafted Dampier in Indiana. Golden State also has talked to Dallas.
However, the Warriors are said to be mulling Thomas' offer, and league officials view the Knicks as front-runners. Dampier will likely to visit New York as soon as Tuesday.
If the Warriors accept the Knicks' offer, it likely will blow up Thomas chances of landing the Bulls' combo guard, Jamal Crawford. But Thomas considers Dampier as big a priority as Crawford and will have to get very lucky to get both.
Harrington, because of his expiring contract, was an integral piece to the Bulls' trade.
With Shaquille O'Neal now in the East, Thomas is desperate for a banger in the middle. Mohammed would get eaten up by O'Neal.
Mullin is wary of taking on bad contracts, as the Warriors can let Dampier flee and save on payroll. However, Golden State needs a backup center who can score, since the re-signed Adonal Foyle is a defensive specialist.
The wages of Harrington ($3.1M) and Mohammed ($5.25M) next season total $8.35M, meaning Dampier can sign for a wage beginning at $9 million per for seven years. Dampier opted out of the last two years of his contract that would've paid him $8.1M next season.
Harrington makes sense for Golden State because of his meager contract. Mohammed only has two years left on his deal.
With the Harrington/Mohammed offer on the table, Thomas now has added Dikembe Mutombo back into the Bulls' offer, replacing Harrington. Mutombo had been kept out of the deal to save for other trades. But since Moochie Norris is still included, the Bulls aren't biting, even with the Knicks willing to add $3 million.
Meanwhile, Crawford's agent, Aaron Goodwin, hoped to have client Vin Baker to re-sign with the Knicks after the Crawford deal was done. But if the Bulls' deal falls through, Baker's return to the Knicks could be iffy. The Cavaliers, after losing Carlos Boozer, are interested in Baker.
By MARC BERMAN
July 17, 2004 -- The Erick Dampier sweepstakes heated up in the Knicks' favor yesterday as team president Isiah Thomas made Golden State what one league official termed "a strong offer" — Nazr Mohammed and Othella Harrington — for the 7-foot Shaq stopper.
The offer seems to be a better one than the proposal the Pacers recently had rejected — Austin Croshere and Scott Pollard. Warrior GM Chris Mullin likes Croshere but has asked for Jonathan Bender, whom Pacer president Donnie Walsh won't include, a source said.
The Hawks, who are under the salary cap and can sign Dampier outright without needing a sign-and-trade, are waiting to see if the Knicks or Pacers can work out a trade before they strike. Hawks GM Billy Knight — along with Walsh — drafted Dampier in Indiana. Golden State also has talked to Dallas.
However, the Warriors are said to be mulling Thomas' offer, and league officials view the Knicks as front-runners. Dampier will likely to visit New York as soon as Tuesday.
If the Warriors accept the Knicks' offer, it likely will blow up Thomas chances of landing the Bulls' combo guard, Jamal Crawford. But Thomas considers Dampier as big a priority as Crawford and will have to get very lucky to get both.
Harrington, because of his expiring contract, was an integral piece to the Bulls' trade.
With Shaquille O'Neal now in the East, Thomas is desperate for a banger in the middle. Mohammed would get eaten up by O'Neal.
Mullin is wary of taking on bad contracts, as the Warriors can let Dampier flee and save on payroll. However, Golden State needs a backup center who can score, since the re-signed Adonal Foyle is a defensive specialist.
The wages of Harrington ($3.1M) and Mohammed ($5.25M) next season total $8.35M, meaning Dampier can sign for a wage beginning at $9 million per for seven years. Dampier opted out of the last two years of his contract that would've paid him $8.1M next season.
Harrington makes sense for Golden State because of his meager contract. Mohammed only has two years left on his deal.
With the Harrington/Mohammed offer on the table, Thomas now has added Dikembe Mutombo back into the Bulls' offer, replacing Harrington. Mutombo had been kept out of the deal to save for other trades. But since Moochie Norris is still included, the Bulls aren't biting, even with the Knicks willing to add $3 million.
Meanwhile, Crawford's agent, Aaron Goodwin, hoped to have client Vin Baker to re-sign with the Knicks after the Crawford deal was done. But if the Bulls' deal falls through, Baker's return to the Knicks could be iffy. The Cavaliers, after losing Carlos Boozer, are interested in Baker.
