BULLS, KNICKS TRADE SIX
The Chicago Bulls acquired Othella Harrington, Dikembe Mutombo, Cezary Trybanski and Frank Williams from the New York Knicks for Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams.
What does it give the Chicago Bulls
A role model for their young big men, and serious financial flexibility
after next season. Often these days an NBA trade is more about what a
team gets rid of than what it obtains, and that couldn't be more true
here. In dumping Crawford, Chicago replaces a player they'd soured on
and who would have been costly to keep. Jerome Williams is solid, but
made an awful lot for bench player (about $6 million per season), and
the four players Chicago gets back are all headed to free agency after
this season. Mutombo is a character guy who will teach Eddy Curry and
Tyson Chandler what it takes to play the pivot, but otherwise this is
just a massive future salary dump. Expect the Bulls to make a big play
in next year's free agent market.
What does it give the New York Knicks
Another talented youngster, a fine role player, and an excuse to make
Allan Houston a sixth man. Since taking over as Knick GM last season,
Isiah Thomas has become Mr.
Lumberjack--chopping dead wood everywhere and building
a new house in speedy fashion. In Crawford, Thomas once again nabs a
young star-caliber player in return for the overpaid and over-the-hill.
Despite defensive lapses and clashes with management, last season
Crawford still easily led the Bulls in scoring (17.3 ppg). Talent-wise,
Jerome Williams is also a steal--a rebounding demon with huge heart and
fan appeal. Of course, combined the two new Knicks will cost about $80
million over the next half decade, but hey--it's New York, right?
Fantasy impact
