Knicks Set Themselves up for 2010 With 2 Deals

In this Nov. 12, 2008, file photo, Memphis Grizzlies' Quinton Ross defends New York Knicks Jamal...

In this Nov. 12, 2008, file photo, Memphis Grizzlies' Quinton Ross defends New York Knicks Jamal Crawford (11) as he shoots a three point shot in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn. The Golden State Warriors traded disgruntled forward Al Harrington to the New York Knicks for guard Jamal Crawford on Friday. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman, File)

(AP)

The New York Knicks traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in separate deals Friday, parting with their two top scorers to free up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010. Crawford was sent to Golden State for forward Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with reserve guard Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.

The Knicks gave up 40 points per game for a chance to cash in on something much bigger.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh has repeatedly said his goal was to get under the cap in time for a potentially sensational free-agent crop that could be headlined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"I think that opening up cap space down the road for us is a big plus on our side and I hope our fans understand that that can give us an opportunity to make the team better according to the plan that I've outlined," Walsh said on a conference call. "So I'm trying to be true to what I said from day one, and that's what I'm doing."

Both Randolph and Crawford have deals that extend past 2010. Randolph is scheduled to make $17.3 million and Crawford $10.1 million in 2010-11. None of the players the Knicks brought back are under contract past 2010.

James, Wade and Bosh, all members of the U.S. Olympic team, could become free agents that summer. However, coach Mike D'Antoni said the Knicks are still focused on the present.

"I do think the guys that we traded for are going to come in and be a bonus," D'Antoni said before the Knicks' game at Milwaukee. "Good veterans, and I really want to dispel the notion that OK, we did it to clear (cap space) — which we did, and obviously we have a long-term plan, and that was the plan from the very first day.

"But at the same time, we're not throwing this year away or thinking that we're not going to make the playoffs or think that we're waiting for three years from now. No. We're going to go out and develop this team and we're going to really fight hard to get into the playoffs, and I think we can."