Dampier To Meet With Knicks

[Avery]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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'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.</div>

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Now if Isiah Thomas could pull this off after acquiring Jamal Crawford, he is truly a great GM. With the acquisition of Eric Dampier the Knicks could be heavy favorites in Eastern Conference; this team has improved drastically since Thomas came along. I just didn?t like the move that sent Van Horn to the Bucks, Van Horn fitted perfectly well with the Knicks.

 

[sneballa7]

Im not sure about Dampier. He might go back to playing like an average C again. If he can play the way he played last year I would accept him in NY. Yea and I agree about KVH. He was traded when IMO he was playing the best for the Knicks at the time.

 

[Trip]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sneballa7:</div><div class="quote_post">Im not sure about Dampier. He might go back to playing like an average C again. If he can play the way he played last year I would accept him in NY. Yea and I agree about KVH. He was traded when IMO he was playing the best for the Knicks at the time.</div>
Hell, even if Dampier does play like an average center again, it'll be worth the MLE. Centers now are being overpaid by outrageous amounts, and even an 8/7 type center is worth the MLE. So even if Dampier bombs, the Knicks will not be tied to him long-term, and still get a production increase over Mohammed.

 

[Midnight Green]

Isiah's saying "if I am only remembered for being a great basketball player I have failed in the rest of my life". It really does hold true with all these moveshe is making he will not only be remembered for being a good basketball player, but a pretty good GM as well.


I agree with avery the van horn trade was the only bad move isiah made in his time in new york. Van Horn was traded because isiah felt that tim thomas would fit the offense better when running the break with marbury. That didnt turn out to well I only saw that happen once in the regular season.


If they aquire dampier in a sign and trade for one year they would seriously have to look at what they would give up in this sign and trade. If it would include K. Thomas I would not do it because he is a very good player. Mabye the reason players like adnerson and frank williams were not traded in the deal to chicago is because they may be some how involved in this possible trade.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">Isiah's saying "if I am only remembered for being a great basketball player I have failed in the rest of my life". </div>
I wonder where you heard that..*cough* My sig *cough*.

Well, the Knicks have no real shot at Dampier unless we take on Exchmeyer and most real Knicks fans would be content with that, however I feel that we would regret the trade in the future. If Dapmier will sign for the MLE than I'll be happy, anything else and I'll be mad. Those are my thoughts.



***BTW- on WFAN they announced that the Crawford trade will happen-Details are not yet released***