Knicks looking at Ratliff - NYPost

[Celtic4Hire@xxxxxxx]

<RATLIFF MIGHT BE ANSWER TO KNICK PRAYERS 
 
By MARC BERMAN 
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 INSIDE MOVE:
Theo Ratliff, making move against Lakers' Samaki Walker last season, might be 
main topic in trade talks between Hawks and Knicks.
- AP  

July 17, 2003 -- BOSTON - The Knicks can't use the excuse that the salary cap 
prevented them from signing Michael Olowokandi yesterday. The 7-foot center 
yesterday accepted Minnesota's $4.9 million mid-level exception in a three-year 
deal. 
So now the center-starved Knicks move on and, with the free-agent center 
market running dry, they have talked to the Hawks about a deal involving 
shot-blocking 6-10 center Theo Ratliff, sources said. 

"We need a big, dominating guy who can post up," said Don Chaney. "We need an 
intimidator inside." 

Problem is, the Hawks have been in freeze mode as they await ownership 
change. But the sale is close to being finalized this week and that could accelerate 
trade talks, the Knicks hope. 

Knicks GM Scott Layden pursued Ratliff two years ago in discussions with 
former Hawks GM Pete Babcock. Ratliff seems over his injury bug, playing 81 games 
last season, averaging 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.23 blocked shots. He has 
two years and $21 million left on his contract. 

One second-tier center available is 35-year-old Elden Campbell and the Knicks 
have some interest. "He could still play and he still has size," Chaney said. 

According to sources, the Knicks got cold feet with Olowokandi. They had 
reservations about Olowokandi's character and invited him to Westchester for a 
recruiting visit. But Olowokandi turned down the visit - even after Chaney 
reached out to him the past few days. Kandi Man clearly wanted no part of the Big 
Apple. 

"This is a place players still want to go," said Garden president Steve 
Mills, though the Knicks have yet to arrange one recruiting visit. 

The Knicks never felt comfortable enough with Olowokandi to beat the Wolves' 
three-year, $16 million offer. The best the Knicks could have offered was a 
six-year, $36.5 million deal. 

"There was interest," Chaney said. "We got beat out. We wanted to meet with 
him and sit down with him before making a commitment. But he signed before we 
got that chance." 

Pacers center Brad Miller is the last legitimate front-line, free-agent 
center who hasn't signed, but the Knicks have to work out a sign-and-trade with 
Indiana. They could offer Kurt Thomas and one of their point guards. Denver is 
interested in Miller and still has cap room. The Pacers were involved in 
sign-and-trade talks yesterday, but the Knicks weren't seriously involved. 

The Clippers, meanwhile, were happy to see Olowokandi go. As one source 
familiar with the Clippers' thinking said, "He's high maintenance. He thinks he's 
Wilt Chamberlain." 

The Olowokandi signing was shrewd maneuvering by agent Bill Duffy, the former 
college roommate of Wolves GM Kevin McHale. Duffy represents both Rasho 
Nesterovic, the Knicks' top choice, and Olowokandi. Duffy filled Minnesota's center 
void when Nesterovic signed with San Antonio.