The Knicks officially announced Wednesday that the team has acquired center Marcus Camby via a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets and has re-signed shooting guard J.R. Smith.
Camby has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $13.2 million, while Smith reportedly signed a one-year deal worth $2.8 million.
Smith could potentially start at shooting guard if the Knicks don’t bring back Landry Fields, who has signed a $19-million, three-year offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors that the Knicks may not match.
In exchange for Camby, 38, the Knicks gave up guard Toney Douglas, centers Josh Harrellson and Jerome Jordan and two future second-round draft choices (2014 and ’15).
“It’s exciting when you get the chance to bring a former Knick like Marcus Camby back home,” Knicks GM Glen Grunwald said.
“His defensive presence, shot-blocking ability and offensive board work will give us nice depth in our frontcourt. In addition, our fan base is very fond of him for what he accomplished here during his four seasons. I also have a great appreciation of Marcus after the time we spent together in Toronto.”
Camby will turn 40 on the Knicks watch in March 2014, but as we covered in this column, with the additions of Camby and Jason Kidd, 39, the Knicks feel their win to win an NBA championship is over the next couple of years.
Knicks center Tyson Chandler told the New York Post that the 6-foot-11 Camby will help the team protect the basket when he’s not on the floor.
He has averaged 9.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks over his 16-year-career.
“We match up better with everybody having him,’’ Chandler said. “One of the rough things last year with myself, when I went out of the game, we didn’t have rim protection. Having Camby now, that shot-blocker, crafty, it will really help us defensively.’’
Chandler said the two could even play together at times, with Camby at power forward.
“I was ecstatic,’’ Chandler said. “It’s a great pickup for us. Camby can play two positions. We can be on the floor at the same time and obviously having a backup, taking some of the load off.He’s probably a better shot-blocker than I am. He chases down shots. I’m more of a possession defender.’’
