Knicks offload Randolph and Crawford
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Knicks offloaded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in deals on Friday to clear salary-cap space for 2010 when the potent free-agent class of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh hits the market.
Power forward Randolph, along with guard Mardy Collins, was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas while guard Crawford was exchanged for Golden State Warriors forward Al Harrington.
By dispensing with their two leading scorers in Randolph and Crawford, the Knicks will clear salary-cap space of around $27 million for 2010 as they pursue Cleveland Cavaliers standout James.
"I drafted Al back in 1998 and I think his talents are a great fit for our style of play," Knicks President Donnie Walsh said in a statement.
"This trade also gives us more long-term flexibility while enabling us to remain competitive this season.
"To acquire a player of Al's caliber we had to give up someone we all really liked in Jamal. We thank him for his contributions both on and off the court and wish him all the best in Golden State."
Harrington, a first-round pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 1998 draft, has averaged 13 points and 5.8 rebounds in 660 NBA games. This season his average is 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds after five games.
"Zach is an extremely talented player who produces numbers that few players can and we thank him, and Mardy, for their efforts as Knickerbockers," Walsh added.
The Knicks lie sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with a win-loss record of 6-5.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
