Knicks have edge with Jeffries
BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Isiah Thomas and Jared Jeffries are doing everything in their power to convince the Washington Wizards not to match the five-year, $30 million offer sheet Jeffries signed with the Knicks on Friday.
Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld formally will receive the contract tomorrow and will have seven days to either match the deal or allow the 24-year-old forward to join the Knicks. Washington had offered the 6-11 Jeffries $33 million over six years, so it would not be unreasonable for the team to match the Knicks' deal.
However, there are several factors that weigh heavily in the Knicks' favor. By matching the contract, the Wizards would put themselves dangerously close to the luxury tax threshold of $65.4 million. Also, Jeffries has made it known to Washington management that he would prefer to play for the Knicks.
There also are several clauses in the contract that may prohibit the Wizards from matching the offer. It is believed that Jeffries' deal calls for him to receive 80% of his annual salary before the season. Also, it is likely that Jeffries' contract includes a trade kicker or bonus in the event that he is dealt within five years.
Of course, the Knicks also would be adding to their league-high payroll by signing Jeffries. Because the Knicks already are over the salary cap, Jeffries' 2006-07 salary would cost the club nearly $10 million when the luxury tax is factored in. Jeffries, who turns 25 in November, averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 77 games last season.
It had been speculated that Thomas elected not to match the offer sheet Jackie Butler signed with the Spurs because the Knicks were practicing fiscal responsibility. Butler, however, only will earn a total of $7million over the next three years with San Antonio.
Jeffries would provide the Knicks with a defensive-minded player who can play three frontcourt positions. He also would be something of a rarity on the Knicks since he doesn't need the ball to be effective. But his presence also would create a logjam at forward and seemingly force Thomas to make another move.
The Knicks are trying to trade Quentin Richardson but there isn't a market for a player with a bad back and an equally bad contract. They are also looking to trade Malik Rose, Maurice Taylor and Jerome James, whom the Knicks gave their mid-level exception to last season. Rose and Taylor are each entering the final year of their contracts and thus would have more value around the February trading deadline.
They are also looking to trade Malik Rose, Maurice Taylor and Jerome James, whom the Knicks gave their mid-level exception to last season. Rose and Taylor are each entering the final year of their contracts and thus would have more value around the February trading deadline.
well there you go rose lovers they are trying to ship him out of new york to make you happy!
I think the Knicks are going to make history by being the first team to choke on their own poison pill.
Would Malik be valuable as a Spur again?
Malik sucks.
DAMN the knicks, they wouldnt counter our offer for butler who is probaly better than JJ, wouldve been 14mill only as compared to the 33million in salaries+33million penalty tax hahaha, stupid IT.
If he and Pop could avoid butting heads again, yes. I think the article's incorrect about this being the last year on Malik's contract (I believe he two years left), but that wouldn't compromise Operation Cap Space in 2008.
Meanwhile Qyntel Woods is sitting out there unsigned. This would almost guarantee that the Knicks will elect not to resign him.
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