NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks and Larry Johnson finalized a buyout agreement Wednesday that ends the 10-year veteran's NBA career. Johnson will receive the remaining $28.8 million owed on his contract, his agent said.

	Johnson

On Thursday, the NBA denied the Knicks' request for a $4.5 million injury exception for Johnson's roster slot, ESPN's David Aldridge reported.

Chronic back problems forced Johnson's retirement. He did not report to training camp with the rest of the team, and his locker stall has already been given to Shandon Anderson.

Johnson, who along with Allan Houston had been with the team longer than any player except Charlie Ward, was one of the Knicks' captains.

"You cannot measure Larry's importance to this team over the past five seasons by just looking at his statistics," Knicks general manager Scott Layden said in announcing the move.

The 32-year-old forward was drafted by Charlotte out of UNLV in 1991. He played with the Hornets for five years, then was traded to the Knicks for the 1995-96 season.

He signed a 12-year, $84 million contract after his rookie season that still had three guaranteed years remaining. The Knicks waived Johnson immediately before his retirement announcement.

"He's getting all his money," said his agent, George Bass.

In 707 regular-season games, Johnson, a two-time All-Star, averaged 16.2 points. His playoff average was 14.2 points in 66 games, although he was unable to play for the Knicks last May during the postseason because of his back pain.

"It's not going to get any better," Bass said.

The Knicks have applied to the NBA for a medical exception that would allow them to sign a replacement player at a starting salary of as much as $4.53 million. The Knicks received an injury exception last month when center Luc Longley retired but did not use it before it expired on Oct. 1.

The highlight of Johnson's career with the Knicks came in Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference finals when he made a rare four-point play to lead New York past the Indiana Pacers and into the NBA Finals.

He missed 14 of New York's final 22 games last season because of back pain after he stopped taking anti-inflammatory pills.

Johnson's biggest strengths for the Knicks were as a defender and an outside threat who could spread opposing defenses, although his shooting percentage fell in each of his five seasons in New York, from 51 percent in 1996-97 to 41 percent last season.

Johnson turned down an offer to be honored in a halftime ceremony at Madison Square Garden, Bass said, adding that Johnson plans to spend more time with his family and possibly coach at the high school level a few years down the road.

"Larry was the embodiment of everything I believe in -- hard work and playing at your best when the best was needed," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said.

Kurt Thomas is expected to replace Johnson as New York's starting power forward. Clarence Weatherspoon and Othella Harrington are the backups.