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MavKikiNYC · 08-08-2002, 08:22 AM

Interesting post-script to the Mutombo deal.....

Knicks Said to Let Deal for Mutombo Slip Away
By CHRIS BROUSSARD

The Knicks spent yesterday completing a deal with the reserve center Michael Doleac. But two high-ranking Eastern Conference officials said the Knicks could have spent the day introducing the eight-time All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo as their newest player.

Without disrupting the nucleus of Antonio McDyess, Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston, the Knicks could have acquired Mutombo. But Scott Layden, the Knicks' general manager, rejected an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers that would have brought Mutombo to New York for Kurt Thomas, Travis Knight and Charlie Ward, said the two officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Unable to come to terms with the Knicks, Philadelphia traded Mutombo to the Nets on Tuesday for Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch.

"Billy King couldn't believe that Layden rejected the offer," one official said, referring to Philadelphia's general manager. "If the Knicks had been willing to do it, the 76ers would not have made the deal with the Nets."

Philadelphia was willing to make the seemingly lopsided trade, which would have met the financial stipulations of the N.B.A.'s collective bargaining agreement, because it had another deal worked out.

After making the trade with the Knicks, the 76ers were going to trade Derrick Coleman and a couple of the newly acquired Knicks to another team. The officials did not know which Knicks would have been traded from Philadelphia, or the identity of the other team.

After hearing rumblings about the Nets' deal with Philadelphia, Layden called King Tuesday evening to try to rekindle the trade talks. But the 76ers' deal with the Nets had been completed.

"By then it was too late," one of the officials said.

King would not comment on his discussions with the Knicks, but he confirmed that the clubs had talked. Layden would not comment when asked whether the Knicks had come close to trading for Mutombo.

"We don't discuss our discussions with other teams," Layden said. "Right now, that's the Nets team and you wish them well."

Layden did say that he thought the trade was an outstanding one for the Nets.

"When you look at the Nets adding Mutombo to their great team, certainly they've done a lot to help themselves," he said. "Dikembe is a premier player in the middle and can dominate play on the defensive end. You have to give them credit."

One Eastern Conference general manager who had not heard about Philadelphia's offer to the Knicks said the scenario sounded feasible because Coleman has only one year left on his five-year, $50 million contract. "It makes sense because Coleman has some real value now since he's in the last year of his contract," the general manager said. "A lot of teams want guys in the last year of their contracts because of the luxury tax."

The general manager added that Layden's well-known penchant for patience apparently hurt the Knicks. "That's always his thing — he's so patient," the general manager said. "In this case, his patience has probably cost him a little bit."

Apparently, Layden believes the Mutombo is on the decline. He averaged career lows in rebounds (10.8) and blocked shots (2.38) last season and at times had trouble catching the ball.

Still, the addition of Mutombo might have made the Knicks a legitimate contender in the East. With Mutombo, one of the game's best rebounders and shot blockers, at center and McDyess at power forward, the Knicks would have been able to get away with an undersized small forward like Sprewell. Houston and Howard Eisley would have rounded out a starting five that would have been among the most formidable in the conference.

The Nets and the 76ers initially began talking about a deal involving Mutombo on draft night. The Nets were willing to trade Van Horn and Aaron Williams to Philadelphia, but the 76ers were hesitant. Then the 76ers called the Nets last weekend with a change of heart.

The deal was going to be for Van Horn and Williams, but on Monday night, Philadelphia asked for MacCulloch instead of Williams.

The Nets, who have made what appears to be two excellent off-season moves in acquiring Mutombo and Chris Childs, are not done. They are making a strong run at the free-agent forward Rodney Rogers, and could sign him before the weekend. The Nets have offered Rogers, who played for the Boston Celtics last season, a multiyear deal beginning at $2.7 million for next season. Signing Rogers, who is a terrific outside shooter, would strengthen the Nets' one remaining weakness.

Meanwhile, the Knicks signed Doleac, 25, to a three-year deal that is believed to be worth about $5 million. A decent rebounder with good range on his jump shot, Doleac, 6 feet 11 inches and 262 pounds, will probably be the backup for Thomas.

Doleac averaged 4.6 points and 4.0 rebounds last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers but missed 34 games because of a broken left ankle.

"It's a good signing for us because it addresses several needs," Layden said. "One is size. We're bringing in a player who's got good size, good experience in the league, and he's a very young player. And the fact that Michael is a good outside shooter and can help us on the perimeter — understanding that Antonio plays well in the post — will give us another player who can knock down an outside shot."

But not another player who can block an inside shot, like Mutombo.

REBOUNDS

JASON KIDD released a statement through his agent, JEFF SCHWARTZ, yesterday on the Nets trade for DIKEMBE MUTOMBO. "I am very excited about the opportunity to play with Dikembe," Kidd said. "It is not every day that you can add an All-Star player, let alone a defensive player of the year. I will miss playing with both KEITH and TODD and wish them the best in Philadelphia. They were an integral part of helping us reach the finals last year."

08-08-2002, 08:22 AM	#24
MavKikiNYC Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 8,509	Interesting post-script to the Mutombo deal..... Knicks Said to Let Deal for Mutombo Slip Away By CHRIS BROUSSARD The Knicks spent yesterday completing a deal with the reserve center Michael Doleac. But two high-ranking Eastern Conference officials said the Knicks could have spent the day introducing the eight-time All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo as their newest player. Without disrupting the nucleus of Antonio McDyess, Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston, the Knicks could have acquired Mutombo. But Scott Layden, the Knicks' general manager, rejected an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers that would have brought Mutombo to New York for Kurt Thomas, Travis Knight and Charlie Ward, said the two officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Unable to come to terms with the Knicks, Philadelphia traded Mutombo to the Nets on Tuesday for Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch. "Billy King couldn't believe that Layden rejected the offer," one official said, referring to Philadelphia's general manager. "If the Knicks had been willing to do it, the 76ers would not have made the deal with the Nets." Philadelphia was willing to make the seemingly lopsided trade, which would have met the financial stipulations of the N.B.A.'s collective bargaining agreement, because it had another deal worked out. After making the trade with the Knicks, the 76ers were going to trade Derrick Coleman and a couple of the newly acquired Knicks to another team. The officials did not know which Knicks would have been traded from Philadelphia, or the identity of the other team. After hearing rumblings about the Nets' deal with Philadelphia, Layden called King Tuesday evening to try to rekindle the trade talks. But the 76ers' deal with the Nets had been completed. "By then it was too late," one of the officials said. King would not comment on his discussions with the Knicks, but he confirmed that the clubs had talked. Layden would not comment when asked whether the Knicks had come close to trading for Mutombo. "We don't discuss our discussions with other teams," Layden said. "Right now, that's the Nets team and you wish them well." Layden did say that he thought the trade was an outstanding one for the Nets. "When you look at the Nets adding Mutombo to their great team, certainly they've done a lot to help themselves," he said. "Dikembe is a premier player in the middle and can dominate play on the defensive end. You have to give them credit." One Eastern Conference general manager who had not heard about Philadelphia's offer to the Knicks said the scenario sounded feasible because Coleman has only one year left on his five-year, $50 million contract. "It makes sense because Coleman has some real value now since he's in the last year of his contract," the general manager said. "A lot of teams want guys in the last year of their contracts because of the luxury tax." The general manager added that Layden's well-known penchant for patience apparently hurt the Knicks. "That's always his thing — he's so patient," the general manager said. "In this case, his patience has probably cost him a little bit." Apparently, Layden believes the Mutombo is on the decline. He averaged career lows in rebounds (10.8) and blocked shots (2.38) last season and at times had trouble catching the ball. Still, the addition of Mutombo might have made the Knicks a legitimate contender in the East. With Mutombo, one of the game's best rebounders and shot blockers, at center and McDyess at power forward, the Knicks would have been able to get away with an undersized small forward like Sprewell. Houston and Howard Eisley would have rounded out a starting five that would have been among the most formidable in the conference. The Nets and the 76ers initially began talking about a deal involving Mutombo on draft night. The Nets were willing to trade Van Horn and Aaron Williams to Philadelphia, but the 76ers were hesitant. Then the 76ers called the Nets last weekend with a change of heart. The deal was going to be for Van Horn and Williams, but on Monday night, Philadelphia asked for MacCulloch instead of Williams. The Nets, who have made what appears to be two excellent off-season moves in acquiring Mutombo and Chris Childs, are not done. They are making a strong run at the free-agent forward Rodney Rogers, and could sign him before the weekend. The Nets have offered Rogers, who played for the Boston Celtics last season, a multiyear deal beginning at $2.7 million for next season. Signing Rogers, who is a terrific outside shooter, would strengthen the Nets' one remaining weakness. Meanwhile, the Knicks signed Doleac, 25, to a three-year deal that is believed to be worth about $5 million. A decent rebounder with good range on his jump shot, Doleac, 6 feet 11 inches and 262 pounds, will probably be the backup for Thomas. Doleac averaged 4.6 points and 4.0 rebounds last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers but missed 34 games because of a broken left ankle. "It's a good signing for us because it addresses several needs," Layden said. "One is size. We're bringing in a player who's got good size, good experience in the league, and he's a very young player. And the fact that Michael is a good outside shooter and can help us on the perimeter — understanding that Antonio plays well in the post — will give us another player who can knock down an outside shot." But not another player who can block an inside shot, like Mutombo. REBOUNDS JASON KIDD released a statement through his agent, JEFF SCHWARTZ, yesterday on the Nets trade for DIKEMBE MUTOMBO. "I am very excited about the opportunity to play with Dikembe," Kidd said. "It is not every day that you can add an All-Star player, let alone a defensive player of the year. I will miss playing with both KEITH and TODD and wish them the best in Philadelphia. They were an integral part of helping us reach the finals last year."