Sources: Francis dealt to Knicks for Penny, Ariza

Steve Francis is headed to New York under a deal agreed to Wednesday by the Knicks and the Orlando Magic, ESPN.com has learned.

The teams agreed to a trade of Francis for Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza, two league sources with knowledge of the deal told ESPN.com.

The trade was expected to be announced later Wednesday afternoon after being called in to the league office.

In New York, Francis will be paired with Stephon Marbury as the highest-paid backcourt duo in the NBA.

The Knicks were still talking with several other clubs as team president Isiah Thomas worked at remaking a roster that has stumbled to the league's second-worst record, 15-37.

For the Magic, the trade will provide salary cap relief to a franchise that can now go further beneath the cap than any of the league's 30 teams in the summer of 2007 when a bumper crop of free agents will be on the market, giving Orlando several options in figuring out how to rebuild around 20-year-old power forward Dwight Howard.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2339941

Thomas should get fired . Fucking idiot . I am very upset at the moment.

Penny back in Orlando eh. Wonder if Shaq will join him anytime soon(not).

Lets see how well Francis and Marbury play together in the backcourt. They might surprise everyone and get the Knicks going on a winning streak or something.

Last edited by dada on Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

I like what the Magic are doing. They got Milicic and Arroyo for a guy who didn't play at all. Milicic is a gamble, and Arroyo can be more than a filler, as he showed on the Pistons.

Now they trade away a cancer to their organization and a huge contract, for an huge EXPIRING contract and a guy who has unlimited potential and will probably start at the 3 next year when Grant retires.

Not to mention their payroll is now significantly lower. If Darko and Ariza pan out, and with Howard and Nelson itching for their breakout years, this team could be one to watch for many years to come.



As for Francis to NY, what can I say. On parerm it looks awful. Now they get stuck with Crawford and Q-Richardson oin the benceh. And their starting backcourt duo makes more money in a year than the Charlotte Bobcats altogether. Bickerstaff included. Maybe Stevie will go back to being a 20+ ppg guy. But I don't think his game style befits Larry Brown.

I don't think his game style befits Larry Brown.

The way things are going Larry may be rocking a bald head by the end f the year with these guys.

All I can say is hmmmm. Maybe it'll turn out better in the end.

All I can say is hmmmm.

I wonder if Larry Brown is planning Thomas' assasination as we speak.

The knicks best get rid of Crawford by the deadline. If not , this is seriously a problem . I'm so depressed right now.

All I can say is hmmmm.

hmmmm




...hmmmm



...hmm

The Magic have done a nice job. I'm secretly excited to see Penny back in Orlando, and I just had to find out right now that they did indeed get Darko. I'm sure Darko's going to develop into a fine player along with Howard, Ariza and Nelson. They're young, but the future looks good.

Unless the Francis/Marbury chemistry works out, I think NY is fucked.

i think it's interesting how Knicks managed to keep Crawford. From all the rumors, Crawford was on his way out. I think this is an indication that there is aleast on more major trade before the deadline.

I hope it includes the Lakers

A great trade for Magic, a not so good one for Knicks. Again. I'm mean, is Thomas trying to put together a all-star non-Larry-Brown-type-of-players team? If he is, he's doing a helluva job.

nooooooo not ariza, i hope isiah burns in hell.
fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck no copy paste fuck fuck fuck im mad as fuck right now
i cant beleive this, ariza was the only bright spot on last years team that we had left, my fav player in the league
RIP NY KNICKS

Ariza is your fav player in the league? Thats surprising.

There's still lil' Nate...

nooooooo not ariza, i hope isiah burns in hell.
fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck no copy paste fuck fuck fuck im mad as fuck right now
i cant beleive this, ariza was the only bright spot on last years team that we had left, my fav player in the league
RIP NY KNICKS

Ariza was my player too . :'( I am so pissed off right now!!

WFAN's Mike & the Mad Dog said that Larry Brown was behind this deal.

Whatever, all my Knicks apparel's going in the trash.

Going to be interesting what reaction Penny is going to get going back to Orlando. Who
is going to change their jersey number Francis or Marbury?

Update

Official Announcement Of The Francis Deal

Magic Press Release - The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Trevor Ariza and the expiring contract of guard Anfernee Hardaway from New York in exchange for guard Steve Francis, Assistant General Manager Otis Smith announced today. In addition, the team has waived forward Bo Outlaw.

“As an organization, you always look for ways to improve your team, both presently and in the future,” said Smith. “The moves we have made today and last week (Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from Detroit) 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.”

“The moves we have made during the last few days are geared to grow and improve our team,” said Magic Head Coach Brian Hill. “Trevor (Ariza) 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.”

Last edited by artestfighttrainer on Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

Francis more than likely. I doubt he can payoff Marbury, considering what Marbury makes.

I think Francis will go to the number 33......



I am very upset at the moment

I think Francis may be dealt to Portland for Darius Miles , just a thought...

Last edited by Doobie on Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

I wonder how soon Marbury and Francis will butt heads.

Oh well, I am off to go watch Barca demolish Chelsea. Toodloo.

I'm on the non-active list of Knicks fans right now, my mind is like blank.
I heard Ariza was mentioned in all the rumours, but I didn't think him being traded would have such an impact on me lol. What kind of lose am I.. my life depends on Isiah Thomas' decision.. lol

What a week Nate steals the Dunk Contest and they get Franchise

Lol im watching chelsea and barca right now, hope its better than real and arsenal. real sucked yester

real sucked

I second that. Very disappointing.