The Knicks did not solidify their coaching position yesterday, but they did get their behemoth starting center, agreeing to terms with Seattle’s 7-1, 275-pounder Jerome James, according to sources.
His agent Marc Fleisher said James will sign a five-year deal, estimated at $29.6 million for the full mid-level exception ($5.1M annually), unless the Sonics and Knicks can work out a sign-and-trade. Fleisher alerted the Sonics to James’ decision yesterday and the clubs were expected to begin sign-and-trade talks.
Thomas and Knicks’ director of player personnel Brandan Suhr had dinner with James, 29, in Manhattan Tuesday night to seal the deal.
Outside the restaurant, a souce said, he introduced himself to bystanders saying, “Hi, I’m Jerome James, the Knicks new starting center.”
James’ signing can’t become official until the signing period begins, expected to be July 23 when the new CBA is slated to become official. So the Knicks and Sonics have time to work out something.
The Knicks would have more motivation to do a sign-and-trade with Seattle and keep available their mid-level exception if power forwards Stromile Swift or Antoine Walker agreed to accept it. Knicks president Isiah Thomas is keeping his options open.
Thomas’ main goal entering free agency was to sign a big shot-blocking center, and James was always high on his list, contacting him July 1. During the summer league, he said he was interested in a center with “girth,” and that’s surely James. His weight was a big issue early in his career, but he gives the Knicks the defensive paint presence they lack.
Thomas’ motivation must have grown further after watching first-round pick, 6-11 center Channing Frye struggle defensively during summer league in Las Vegas, burdened by foul trouble in almost every game. On Monday, Frye picked up nine fouls in the first half (players can’t foul out in summer league).
“We took a look around the league and saw the Knicks had no true center after trading Nazr [Mohammed] and Kurt Thomas,” Fleisher said. “With Shaq in the East, he likes the challenge of going back there.”
Scott Layden’s Knicks pursued James heavily three years ago but he re-signed with Seattle. Layden refused to go more than three years. James was their starting center but averaged just 16.6 minutes, scoring 4.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.39 blocks. James came on in the playoffs, averaging 15.5 points, his minutes up to 26.8.
“Seattle played small ball,” Fleisher said. “All he did was set picks for guards.”
The Knicks want to run, too, this season, which is not James’ style. But they needed someone on the roster who can take up space in the middle and block a shot. They ranked last in the league in shot blocks last season.
“The thing with James,” one player personnel director said, “is he plays hard in his contract year, doing the rarely seen little things and intangibles. At his age, it’s not a contract you want to have in its final two years.”
If the Knicks can get Swift or Walker with the mid-level, they’d be willing to offer up Michael Sweetney in talks with Seattle. But otherwise, Sweetney could be a marketable pawn in a potential sign-and-trade deal for Walker or Swift. Malik Rose and Maurice Taylor are available, too.