NEW YORK, July 20 -- The New York Knicks announced Friday they had signed forward Clarence Weatherspoon.
Terms were not disclosed, but the New York Daily News reported Weatherspoon accepted the $4.5 million salary cap exception from the Knicks and agreed to a five-year contract worth $27 million.
Seeking a strong rebounder and inside scorer but unable to work out a sign-and-trade trade for Chris Webber, the Knicks turned to the 30-year-old Weatherspoon, who will join his fifth team in as many years.
"I'm delighted to become a member of one of the premier teams in the league and I'm excited to play in front of the best fans in the NBA," Weatherspoon said. "The Knicks are proven winners and I look forward to helping them win a championship."
The 6-7, 265-pound forward averaged 11.3 points and 9.7 rebounds last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers after being acquired in a three-team deal that sent Brian Grant to Miami and Shawn Kemp to Portland. He played in all 82 games and shot 50.1 percent from the field, 10th-best in the NBA.
Weatherspoon also provides insurance in case forward Larry Johnson is forced to retire due to chronic back problems.
"Clarence is another serious, tough-minded veteran who can help us win," New York coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I am looking forward to having him on our team."
A first-round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1992, Weatherspoon averaged career-bests of 18.4 points and 10.1 rebounds in his second NBA season. But as his numbers regressed, Weatherspoon was traded to Golden State in February 1998 and signed with Miami as a free agent the following season.
Weatherspoon missed a jumper in the final seconds of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, allowing the Knicks to beat the Heat.
"He is a proven rebounder and his inside presence will certainly help our frontcourt," Knicks president and general manager Scott Layden said.
Weatherspoon has averaged 13.2 points and 7.9 rebounds in 688 career games.
