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Thursday, July 19, 2001
Houston, Knicks reportedly agree to long-term deal
ESPN.com news services
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NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks apparently will make
Allan Houston the highest-paid player in franchise history.
The Knicks and
Houston have agreed in principle on a contract that would pay
the All-Star guard more than $100 million over seven years.
A Knicks spokesman said the team had no comment on the report.
Players cannot sign new contracts until July 18 but can agree
in principle.
Houston became a free agent earlier this week, opting out of the
final two years of a contract that would have paid him $21
million.
The 30-year-old Houston would become the highest-paid player in
Knicks history, easily eclipsing the four-year, $68 million deal
signed by Patrick Ewing in 1997.
According to various published reports, Houston and his agent,
Bill Strickland, met with Knicks president Scott Layden and
Madison Square Garden president Steve Mills on Thursday night to
negotiate a deal.
The Knicks appear intent on settling the status of Houston
before other free agents can be signed beginning July 18. The
new salary cap will be set a day earlier.
There was speculation that the Knicks would attempt to trade
Houston in an effort to acquire Sacramento's Chris Webber or
another prominent free agent. The New York Daily News, however, reported
that the Knicks never considered Houston in any sign-and-trade
deal since he would have to agree to it.
Houston represented the Knicks on the Eastern Conference
All-Star team for the second straight year. He averaged 18.7
points while shooting 44.9 percent from the floor last season.
Houston spent his first three NBA seasons in Detroit before
signing as a free agent with the Knicks in July 1996.
Information from SportsTicker was used in this report.
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