The Knicks have added point guard Raymond Felton in what will likely be their last free agent signing of the summer.
“Yes,” Tony Dutt, Felton’s agent, said via text.
Citing “two league sources,” ESPN.com first reported that the two sides had reached an agreement that would pay Felton approximately $7 million annually.
“We talked to him,” Knicks president Donnie Walsh said earlier Friday in a conference call. “We feel like we’re close. We have no contract right now. Until we get a contract, in my world it’s not done.”
Felton averaged 12.1 points and 5.6 assists last season and has career averages of 13.3 points and 6.4 assists.
He shot 46 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc last season. Both were career-highs.
“Felton can score and shoot so our focus is going on Felton,” Walsh said.
The Knicks need a point guard to get the ball to new star forward Amar’e Stoudemire. They have only second-year guard Toney Douglas, considered more of a backup.
“If you add Amar’e and you get Raymond that’s a heck of a coup,” Dutt said last week by phone. “Raymond can definitely run a team. Just like Amar’e has [Steve] Nash you need a guy there that’s able to run a team at a high level.”
If the Knicks do add Felton, it will likely be their last free agent addition of 2010, allowing them to pursue Carmelo Anthony or another high-profile free agent next summer.
“We feel like we’re done on the free agent market,” Walsh said.
Asked directly about Anthony, Walsh said he couldn’t comment on the property of another team.
WALSH NOT RETIRING
Walsh, who attended Thursday’s Amar’e Stoudemire press conference in a wheelchair after recently undergoing neck surgery, denied a New York Post report that he is about to retire.
“I told Peter [Vecsey] I thought your article was incorrect. I’m not retiring. I’m basically alright,” Walsh said.
Walsh also denied speculation that his recent surgery had anything to do with his operation two years ago to remove part of his tongue because of cancer. He said the recent procedure was to remove a spur on his vertebra.
As far as LeBron James’ decision to join the Heat, Walsh said he was moving forward focusing on the Knicks.
“I respect his decision and that’s that,” Walsh said.
He added: “We did get Amar’e which shouldn’t be overshadowed by us not getting LeBron.”
KNICKS ANNOUNCE SIGNING OF RANDOLPH, AZUBUIKE AND TURIAF
The Knicks also announced that the team has acquired forward Anthony Randolph, swingman Kelenna Azubuike, forward/center Ronny Turiaf and a 2012 second round draft pick from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for forward David Lee, via sign-and-trade.
“This trade gives us an outstanding young frontcourt talent in Anthony, and along with Kelenna and Ronny, we feel they will all be key contributors to our team,” Walsh said. “David Lee developed into an All-Star last season in New York and we wish him continued success in Golden State.”
Randolph, 6-10, 210-pounds, has career averages of 9.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 19.6 minutes in 96 career games (30 starts) in two NBA seasons with Golden State. The Pasadena, CA-native was drafted following his freshman year at Louisiana State University by the Warriors with the 14th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old Randolph averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 22.7 minutes in 33 games (eight starts) during the 2009-10 season, but missed the final 47 games of the season with a left ankle injury.
“We have acquired three players that we have liked for a long time that will be excellent fits in our system,” said head coach Mike D’Antoni. “I enjoyed seeing David develop into an All-Star during my two seasons with him and I hope this trade will provide him with a good opportunity to build on what he started in New York.”
Azubuike, 6-5, 220-pounds, has career averages of 10.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 24.4 minutes in 205 career games (84 starts) in four NBA seasons with Golden State. The Tulsa, OK-native went undrafted out of the University of Kentucky and signed as a free agent with the Warriors on Jan. 2, 2007 out of the NBA Development League. Azubuike enjoyed his best NBA season in 2008-09, averaging career highs of 14.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 74 games (51 starts). In 2009-10, Azubuike averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds over the first nine games of the season before suffering a torn left patellar tendon that sidelined him the final 73 games of the season.
Turiaf, 6-10, 250-pounds, has career averages of 5.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 17.9 minutes in 294 career games (69 starts) in five NBA seasons with the L.A. Lakers and Golden State. The Martinique-native was drafted by the Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft and signed with Golden State as a free agent prior to the 2008-09 season. In 2009-10, Turiaf averaged 4.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 20.8 minutes in 42 games (20 starts).
Lee, 6-9, 250-pounds, was drafted by New York with 30th overall selection in the 2005 NBA Draft and averaged 13.0 points and 9.6 rebounds in 368 career games (210 starts) over five seasons with the Knicks. The St. Louis, MO-native enjoyed his best NBA season in 2009-10, averaging career-highs of 20.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, while also earning his first NBA All-Star selection.
(The AP contributed)
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