NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks, seeking to strengthen their backcourt, Wednesday acquired guard Gerald Henderson from the Seattle SuperSonics in a complex trade involving draft choices over the next few years.
The Knicks said the 6-foot-2 guard will join the club in Milwaukee Thursday and be in uniform for Friday night's game against the Bucks.
The SuperSonics received New York's second-round draft choice in 1990 and the right to exchange either of their two first-round picks for the Knicks' first pick in 1987. Seattle, stockpiling top selections from recent trades, owns Milwaukee's 1987 first-round pick.
However, if New York's draft choice that year is among the first three selections, the Knicks do not have to switch. If that is the case, Seattle has the option of switching to New York's first-round choice in 1989.
'Gerald Henderson gives us quality depth at a most crucial position,' Knicks General Manager Scotty Stirling said. 'He's been one of the NBA's most durable guards, missing only 13 games in seven full seasons.
'We attepted to trade for Gerald last January when I first came to the Knicks and we had to outbid Philadelphia and Houston at this time to make the trade.'
Last season Henderson averaged 13 points and 6 assists a game while shooting 48 percent from the field. He is believed to have accepted a contract extension and a pay cut to meet the requirements of the Knicks salary cap.
The Knicks, 2-6, have started Rory Sparrow and Gerald Wilkins at guard this year with Trent Tucker and Stewart Granger in reserve. Coach Hubie Brown was dissatisfied with their play on the recent West Coast road trip in which the team lost four of five games.
'I want to contribute as much as I can to help stabiiize the Knicks backcourt,' Henderson said. 'I'm looking forward to getting on the winning track.'
