Latest trade rumor: Harrington for Tyrus Thomas
ATLANTA - As the Knicks look toward the future and developing young players - rookie Toney Douglas already has supplanted Nate Robinson in the rotation - one player being dangled is veteran Al Harrington, who scored 27 points in Friday night's 114-107 victory over the Hawks, leads the Knicks in scoring at 19.9 points per game and is one of six expiring contracts on the team.
A potential swap of Harrington for Tyrus Thomas between the Knicks and Bulls - first reported by Yahoo! Sports on Thursday night - would not impact the 2010 plan because Thomas will be a restricted free agent this summer, with a $6.2-million qualifying offer that can be declined. Thomas, 23, a pogo-stick forward, is out with a broken wrist for at least two more weeks.
Harrington, 29, is aware of the 2010 rebuilding plan, but the New Jersey native is intent on re-signing with the Knicks this summer. "I want to be part of this when it's turned around," he said. "Not trying to go somewhere else."
Harrington is a workhorse with the ability to have big scoring nights, but his half-court game doesn't fit Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo style. The Knicks will consider moving Harrington to create playing time for younger players such as rookie Jordan Hill and to avoid burying the hard-working Harrington on the bench as a result. "It wouldn't be fair to him," a source said. "He's done everything we've asked."
ESPN drops Knicks
The Knicks had five games on the ESPN national schedule this season, but because of their poor start, two have been pulled by the network: Dec. 18 against the Clippers and Jan. 15 against the Raptors.
