NBA
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup

 Tuesday, November 2
Sprewell signs long-term deal
 
Associated Press

 HARTFORD, Conn. -- Latrell Sprewell and the New York Knicks finally ended their long negotiations, with the star guard signing a contract Tuesday that is believed to be worth $61.9 million for five years.

 
Latrell Sprewell
Guard-Forward
New York Knicks
Profile
  
 
1998-99 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG BLK STL
37 16.44.2 2.52 46

"I am thankful to be staying in New York," Sprewell said. "Since I got here, the fans have supported me and made me feel welcome. I hope to be part of the team that brings a championship back to New York."

Sprewell, who joined the Knicks last season, decided to take the team's long-term contract instead of a two-year, $21 million offer. For a time, it seemed Sprewell would accept the two-year deal.

"I think if I had taken the two-year, I would have been wondering if it was the right thing," Sprewell said earlier. "In the back of my mind I would have been thinking, 'Let's stay healthy.' I just want to go out and play and not worry about being healthy because my contract is up in a couple of years.

"I'm happy with the numbers in the five-year deal. I feel more secure with that. That's what I feel more comfortable with."

He will be paid $9 million this season, the final year of the four-year deal he signed with Golden State in 1996. He was suspended for much of the 1997 season, losing more than $6 million in salary, after choking coach P.J. Carlesimo. Sprewell was traded to the Knicks before last season.

His new contract, believed to include an opt-out clause after four years, will take effect next season.

"I'm happy for Latrell," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "He has earned this contract by his outstanding play and was an integral part of our team's success."

Sprewell averaged 16.4 points, second on the team last season. He then averaged a team-high 20.4 during the playoffs, when the Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

"Latrell is one of the league's premier scorers and is a vital part of our future," general manager Scott Layden said. "We're happy we were able to sign Latrell before the season got under way and end all speculation as to his future with our team."

Sprewell was fined $30,000 and suspended for one game, losing $100,000 in salary when he missed a week of training camp in Charleston, S.C., while he drove across the country. He also was fined $25,000 by the team earlier this year for comments made by his agent, Robert Gist, but that money reportedly later was returned.