NEW YORK. - Steve Francis was traded Wednesday from the Orlando Magic to the last-place New York Knicks for Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza.
Francis is averaging 16.2 points to lead the Magic, but the star guard has feuded with coach Brian Hill this season. By dealing him for Hardaway's expiring contract, the Magic will get salary cap relief after this season.
In New York, Francis will be teamed with Stephon Marbury, forming one of the league's most expensive backcourts. The deal came a day before the NBA trading deadline.
"As an organization, you always look for ways to improve your team, both presently and in the future," Magic assistant general manager Otis Smith said.
"The moves we have made today and last week continue to build a solid foundation around our core players, such as Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. In addition, this particular deal has allowed us to gain significant salary cap flexibility in the future."
New York was 15-37 entering Tuesday night and had the second-worst record in the league. Orlando was 19-33, third in the Southeast Division.
The Magic were in New Jersey to play the Nets, and agent Jeff Fried was unsure if Francis would make the short trip to Madison Square Garden to join the Knicks for their game Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.
"Steve's excited as can be," Fried told The Associated Press. "He's just excited to get there and perform."
Francis can play either guard spot, and Knicks coach Larry Brown will have to decide if Francis or Marbury will be the primary ballhandler. Fried said Francis will take whatever role the Knicks choose.
Though the trade adds to what is already the league's highest payroll, the Knicks needed to make a move for any chance to salvage what has been a dismal first season under Brown. New York has won only two of its last 18 games.
"This is a trade that we all feel makes us a better basketball team for both now and in the future," Knicks president Isiah Thomas said. "In Steve, we add an All-Star caliber player to our team without giving up core assets that are key to our future."
Francis missed two games earlier this season when he was suspended by the Magic, reportedly for refusing to re-enter the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.
Hardaway began his career as a perennial All-Star in Orlando, but his career has fallen apart because of knee injuries. He has spent most of this away from the Knicks, working out on his own in Houston. He has played in just four games.
But he is attractive to Orlando because his contract expires after this season. Hardaway is making $15.8 million this season.
Ariza, a second-year forward, clashed with Brown this season and his playing time was inconsistent. He averaged 4.6 points in 36 games.
This was the second trade in a week for the Magic, who acquired Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from the Detroit Pistons for a first-round selection and center Kelvin Cato on Wednesday.
"The moves we have made during the last few days are geared to grow and improve our team," Hill said. "Trevor is a young, athletic small forward, who will fit in defensively with what we are trying to accomplish. I genuinely like Steve as a person and wish him nothing but the best."
IMO Ny will have a nice backcourt, but if they aint compatible with each other they are going to suck just as much.
Francis is averaging 16.2 points to lead the Magic, but the star guard has feuded with coach Brian Hill this season. By dealing him for Hardaway's expiring contract, the Magic will get salary cap relief after this season.
In New York, Francis will be teamed with Stephon Marbury, forming one of the league's most expensive backcourts. The deal came a day before the NBA trading deadline.
"As an organization, you always look for ways to improve your team, both presently and in the future," Magic assistant general manager Otis Smith said.
"The moves we have made today and last week continue to build a solid foundation around our core players, such as Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. In addition, this particular deal has allowed us to gain significant salary cap flexibility in the future."
New York was 15-37 entering Tuesday night and had the second-worst record in the league. Orlando was 19-33, third in the Southeast Division.
The Magic were in New Jersey to play the Nets, and agent Jeff Fried was unsure if Francis would make the short trip to Madison Square Garden to join the Knicks for their game Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.
"Steve's excited as can be," Fried told The Associated Press. "He's just excited to get there and perform."
Francis can play either guard spot, and Knicks coach Larry Brown will have to decide if Francis or Marbury will be the primary ballhandler. Fried said Francis will take whatever role the Knicks choose.
Though the trade adds to what is already the league's highest payroll, the Knicks needed to make a move for any chance to salvage what has been a dismal first season under Brown. New York has won only two of its last 18 games.
"This is a trade that we all feel makes us a better basketball team for both now and in the future," Knicks president Isiah Thomas said. "In Steve, we add an All-Star caliber player to our team without giving up core assets that are key to our future."
Francis missed two games earlier this season when he was suspended by the Magic, reportedly for refusing to re-enter the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.
Hardaway began his career as a perennial All-Star in Orlando, but his career has fallen apart because of knee injuries. He has spent most of this away from the Knicks, working out on his own in Houston. He has played in just four games.
But he is attractive to Orlando because his contract expires after this season. Hardaway is making $15.8 million this season.
Ariza, a second-year forward, clashed with Brown this season and his playing time was inconsistent. He averaged 4.6 points in 36 games.
This was the second trade in a week for the Magic, who acquired Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from the Detroit Pistons for a first-round selection and center Kelvin Cato on Wednesday.
"The moves we have made during the last few days are geared to grow and improve our team," Hill said. "Trevor is a young, athletic small forward, who will fit in defensively with what we are trying to accomplish. I genuinely like Steve as a person and wish him nothing but the best."
IMO Ny will have a nice backcourt, but if they aint compatible with each other they are going to suck just as much.
