NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks, in need of help at forward with Xavier McDaniel gone, Monday obtained veteran swingman Tony Campbell from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a second-round draft choice.
The 6-foot-7, 215-pounder averaged 16.8 points a game last season. Campbell, 30, is an eight-year veteran who poses a threat from the perimeter, an area where the Knicks were weak last year.
Campbell led the Timberwolves in scoring the past three seasons, averaging 20.6 points a game. He averaged a career-high 23.2 points a game in Minnesota's inaugural season in 1989-1990.
Campbell's departure may have been expedited by the Timberwolves' recent acquisition of forward Chuck Person from the Indiana Pacers.
He joins a Knick frontline depleted by the loss of McDaniel, who on Thursday signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Boston Celtics.
'We obviously needed help at small forward, and the acquisition of Tony Campbell fills that void,' said Ernie Grunfeld, vice president, player personnel of the Knicks. 'Tony is a proven scorer. He is an athletic, versatile player who can create his own shot.'
Coach Pat Riley, who also had Campbell on his team with the Los Angeles Lakers, said the newcomer will fit in.
'He's a versatile player and a hard worker,' Riley said. 'During his three years with Minnesota, he has proven that he is one of the best at his position.
'We feel this is tantamount to the Rolando Blackman acquisition. We were able to obtain two players with incredible credentials and productivity for future draft choices.'
The Knicks acquired Blackman, a veteran guard from Dallas, to bolster their outside shooting.
Campbell, who starred at Ohio State, broke into the NBA with the Detroit Pistons in 1983-1984 and went to the Lakers three years later. He spent two years with the Lakers before going to Minnesota. Campbell lives in the New York area in Teaneck, N.J.
