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MavKikiNYC · 07-29-2006, 09:57 AM

Gee Wiz! Knicks offer Jared $30M

BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Isiah Thomas spent the past two years pursuing Jared Jeffries and now he finally has Jeffries' signature on a contract.

The Knicks offered their mid-level exception to Jeffries yesterday, a deal that would pay him $30 million over the next five years. However, since Jeffries is a restricted free agent, his current club, the Washington Wizards, has seven days to match the offer.

The Daily News reported two weeks ago that Thomas was considering signing the 24-year-old Jeffries.

Sources indicated the Wizards might be prevented from matching the Knicks' offer because the contract would place them right at the luxury tax threshold.

In the event that Washington decides to pass, the addition of the 6-11 Jeffries would give the Knicks a versatile small forward who can play three positions. His presence likely would force Thomas to make another deal, since the Knicks have a surplus of small forwards.

Jalen Rose and Quentin Richardson are expected to compete for the starting job. The Knicks also used the first of their two first-round picks to select a small forward, Renaldo Balkman. Second-year forward David Lee is another option.

If Jeffries joins the Knicks, Rose and Richardson become the most logical candidates to be traded. Rose has more value because he is entering the final year of his contract. Richardson, who has a history of back problems, is coming off his worst season as a pro.

Both Rose and Richardson are more polished offensively than Jeffries, who is a jack-of-all-trades type of player. He averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 77 games last season. Washington made a one-year qualifying offer to Jeffries last month for approximately $3 million.

"Jared is very excited to be joining the Knicks," said Jeffries' agent, Andy Miller. "He's known Isiah for half of his life and this is a thrill for him."

07-29-2006, 09:57 AM	#59
MavKikiNYC Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 8,509	Gee Wiz! Knicks offer Jared $30M BY FRANK ISOLA DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Isiah Thomas spent the past two years pursuing Jared Jeffries and now he finally has Jeffries' signature on a contract. The Knicks offered their mid-level exception to Jeffries yesterday, a deal that would pay him $30 million over the next five years. However, since Jeffries is a restricted free agent, his current club, the Washington Wizards, has seven days to match the offer. The Daily News reported two weeks ago that Thomas was considering signing the 24-year-old Jeffries. Sources indicated the Wizards might be prevented from matching the Knicks' offer because the contract would place them right at the luxury tax threshold. In the event that Washington decides to pass, the addition of the 6-11 Jeffries would give the Knicks a versatile small forward who can play three positions. His presence likely would force Thomas to make another deal, since the Knicks have a surplus of small forwards. Jalen Rose and Quentin Richardson are expected to compete for the starting job. The Knicks also used the first of their two first-round picks to select a small forward, Renaldo Balkman. Second-year forward David Lee is another option. If Jeffries joins the Knicks, Rose and Richardson become the most logical candidates to be traded. Rose has more value because he is entering the final year of his contract. Richardson, who has a history of back problems, is coming off his worst season as a pro. Both Rose and Richardson are more polished offensively than Jeffries, who is a jack-of-all-trades type of player. He averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 77 games last season. Washington made a one-year qualifying offer to Jeffries last month for approximately $3 million. "Jared is very excited to be joining the Knicks," said Jeffries' agent, Andy Miller. "He's known Isiah for half of his life and this is a thrill for him." Last edited by MavKikiNYC; 07-29-2006 at 09:57 AM.