The New York Knicks continued their veteran free agent spending spree, agreeing to a three-year, $13.2 million sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets for 38-year old PF/C Marcus Camby. The Knicks are sending guard Toney Douglas, big men Josh Harrelson and Jerome Jordan and a pair of second round picks to the Rockets, who continue to stockpile assets to rebuild for the future.
The Knicks are also bringing back guard J.R. Smith, agreeing to a 2-year, $5.6 million with the 26-year old scorer, and shooter Steve Novak for four-years, $15 million. Smith’s deal has a player option for the second season. Smith averaged 12.5 ppg, 2.4 apg and 3.9 rpg in 35 games with New York after joining the team mid-season. Novak had a breakout season with the Knicks, averaging 8.8 ppg and leading the NBA by shooting .472 from three-point range.
This will be Camby’s second stint with the Knicks. Camby played in New York from 1998-2002. Camby averaged 4.9 ppg and 9.0 rpg in 59 games with the Trail Blazers and Rockets. For his career, Camby has averaged 9.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 2.4 bpg in 16 seasons after being selected by the Raptors no. 2 overall in 1996.
-ALR
