---

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas announced today that restricted free agent guard Jamal Crawford has been acquired in a sign-and-trade deal, with the addition of forward Jerome Williams, from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for forward Othella Harrington, guard Frank Williams and centers Dikembe Mutombo and Cezary Trybanski.

“Over the course of these negotiations we’ve stated all along, that if we were going to move Jamal Crawford, it would be imperative for us to receive financial flexibility from a cap standpoint,” said Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson. “Not only does this deal help us in that regard, but the players that we acquired have added depth to our roster and will help us this season.”

Crawford, 6-5, 190-pounds, averaged 17.3 points and 5.1 assists in 80 games - including 71 starts - for the Bulls this past season. His 165 three-point field goals in 2003-04 broke the franchise's record and he was one of just four players last season to record at least 50 points in a single game (50 points, Apr. 11 at Toronto). Originally selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft and then traded to Chicago on Sep. 25, 2000, the four-year NBA veteran has improved his scoring, rebounding and assist averages in each season.

"Our goal is to win the NBA Championship - and we think the additions of Jamal and Jerome will be important pieces of that puzzle," Thomas said. "Both have the winning mentality to succeed as Knick players. Jamal has the ability to play both guard positions, and adds an additional scoring punch alongside Allan Houston and Stephon Marbury. Jerome is a proven, rugged veteran with playoff experience who will provide us consistency on a nightly basis."

“It’s never easy to move a player with the ability of a Jamal Crawford. As evidenced by his time here, he has a world of talent and we wish him well,” said Paxson. “However, there are realities of this business and this move is one of them. This trade accelerates our team’s flexibility and moves us in the right direction.”

Williams, 6-9, 206-pounds, averaged 6.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 68 games - including 44 starts - for the Toronto Raptors and Bulls this past season. The eight-year NBA veteran has career averages of 6.9 points and 6.8 rebounds in 508 games for three different teams.

“Frank is a young player who hasn’t played a lot in his two years in the league,” Paxson said. “Going into year three, we expect him to get a chance to play some minutes in our backcourt and he will have the opportunity to prove himself.”

"Both Jamal and Jerome are quality veterans that will fit very nicely into our system," Knicks Head Coach Lenny Wilkens said. "Jamal is an outstanding talent that solidifies our backcourt and Jerome is a high-energy athletic player that loves to hustle on the court."

Harrington, 6-9, 235-pounds, averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 56 games - including three starts - for the Knicks this past season. Originally acquired on Jan. 30, 2001 from the Vancouver Grizzlies, the eight-year NBA veteran has career averages of 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 463 games. For New York over the past 3½ seasons, the Jackson, MS-native appeared in 237 games to average 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds.

- more - Mutombo, 7-2, 261-pounds, averaged 5.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.89 blocks (14th in NBA) in 65 games - including 56 starts - for the Knicks this past season. Originally signed as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2003, the 13-year NBA veteran has career averages of 12.2 points and 12.1 rebounds in 864 games. He is the fourth leading shot-blocker in NBA history with 2,996 career rejections.

Trybanski, 7-2, 240-pounds, appeared in just three games, logging five minutes and scoring one point for the Knicks this past season. Acquired mid-way during 2003-04 on Jan. 5, 2004 from the Phoenix Suns, the two-year NBA veteran played in a total of seven games on the season. The Warsaw, Poland-native has played in 22 career games for three teams.

Williams, 6-3, 210-pounds, averaged 3.9 points and 2.2 assists in 56 games - including three starts - for the Knicks this past season. Originally acquired on a draft-day deal on Jun. 26, 2002 from the Denver Nuggets, the two-year NBA veteran has career averages of 3.2 points and 2.0 assists in 77 games - all for New York.