The New York Knicks and the Miami Heat are once again engaged in an NBA free agency battle, this time over Houston Rockets center Marcus Camby. The Knicks appear to have an advantage in the sweepstakes, according to ESPN. NBA sources say that the Rockets are only interested in doing a sign-and-trade with the Knicks and not the Heat, preventing the Heat from offering more than the $1.4 million veteran's minimum.
Camby's reportedly wants at least $3 million per season on a multi-year deal. Unless the Heat can pull of a sign-and-trade, they will not be able to offer the veteran what he is asking. The Knicks, on the other hand, can do a sign-and-trade with Houston or offer Camby $3.09 million per season under the mid-level exception. Whatever option the organization chooses, they will likely use the other to ink Jason Kidd once the NBA moratorium period ends.
Unless Pat Riley can work his magic again -- he signed Ray Allen for half of what the Boston Celtics were offering -- Camby may soon be making his way to New York. Camby played from the Knicks from 1998 through the 2001-2002 season. The 38-year-old would provide an upgrade over Jared Jeffries and Josh Harrelson, the backup centers the Knicks used a season ago.
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