Knicks Land Marcus Camby from Rockets

Knicks Land Marcus Camby in Sign and Trade with Rockets

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The Knicks were able to land another important piece today in center Marcus Camby.  He will backup both Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire and can start at either power forward or center if injuries do occur.

The Knicks signed Camby to a three year $13.2 million deal, with the third year being only partially guaranteed.  It will turn into a 2 year $10 million if the third year isn’t picked up. 

Most people are under the impression that the Knicks have no cap space, so the first thought that comes to mind is how do the Knicks keep adding players? In this scenario, it was by a sign and trade.

The Knicks agreed to send Toney Douglas, Jerome Jordan, Josh Harrellson and second-round picks in 2014 and 2015 for Camby. The deal cannot be finalized until July 11^th, once all deals can be finalized for NBA players. 

The 38 year old and 16 year veteran had narrowed his choices down to the Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat ultimately choosing the Knicks because of money.  The Heat and Nets could only offer the veteran’s minimum, with no assets to trade.  The Knicks had assets to trade, in turn being able to give Camby more money.

Camby has still been productive even this late into his career.  He averaged 7.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in 59 games between the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers.  The addition of Camby gives the Knicks one of the best one-two punches at the center position in the NBA. 

This will be Camby’s second go-around with the Knicks, as he played with them from 1998-2002.  Hopefully his tenure this time can be as successful as his first time, as he started for the Knicks in the NBA Finals in the 1999 series against the San Antonio Spurs.