Fortson To The Warriors

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

All Fortson all the time...

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/34755.htm

Saturday,August 5,2000

FORTSON MAY OPT
FOR WARRIORS
By MARC BERMAN

With Brian Grant creeping back into the picture, the Knicks may not be
as desperate to obtain Danny Fortson. And it's a good thing, because
Fortson may choose Golden State over the Knicks where he'd be assured of
being a starting power forward.
Fortson, 24, a rebounding specialist, visited the Knicks yesterday on
the same day it came out that their first choice, Grant, rebuffed the
Cavaliers. Grant squashed a sign-and-trade with the Cavs, who were
willing to pay him the maximum seven years, $92 million, saying he wants
to play for a championship contender.

Grant is perhaps trying to bluff Portland and Cleveland into a three-way
sign-and-trade with the Knicks. Grant could scare those two teams if he
considers signing for one year with Miami for the $2.25 million
exception. That would put him in position to sign with the Heat for the
max the following season as Miami will have major cap room in 2001.

Grant will not consider the Knicks for the $2.25M exception because they
will have no cap room the following year, his agent Mark Bartlestein
said. Knicks GM Scott Layden, who spoke with Bartlestein yesterday, said
"We hope to continue to talk to Brian and stay that course."

Meanwhile, Fortson emerged from his visit hazy about his role in New
York, especially with Grant rumors resurfacing. The Knicks did not say
what Fortson wanted to hear - that the starting power forward job was
his. Fortson said the Knicks and Golden State are "the two
front-runners" but seemed to be leaning toward being a bigger fish in a
smaller pond in Oakland than a smaller fish in the Big Apple pond.

Chances of a Chris Childs-oriented sign-and-trade deal with Boston is
almost nil now that the Celtics signed backup point guard Randy Brown.
The Knicks hope Fortson will take their $2.25 million exception.
"Believe me, that has a lot to do with it," said Fortson of the extra
playing time. "I need to go out there and do some damage when I could
still do it."

With Denver in 1999, the 6-7, 260-pounder averaged a double-double (11.7
points, 11.1 rebounds) before playing a limited role in Boston last
season. "They're very, very interested," Fortson said of Golden State.
"I think I would know my position more there than I would [in New York].
All I understand now is there's a lot of frontcourt players. I'd be
another one of their frontcourt players. I'm not the coach. I can't tell
you how it would work out."

Knicks GM Scott Layden said it would work out fine. "He's a guy who
could help us because he is such a good rebounder," Layden said. "When
the season ended, we were concerned about the lack of rebounding. He's a
very good rebounder and that's one of the reasons we're so interested."

Forston hopes to make a decision next week. He is intrigued by playing
for a championship contender. "That's why it's taking so long for me to
decide," Fortson said.