| | Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Patrick Ewing never brought a championship to New York, and now he never will.
|  | | Patrick Ewing will now play alongside Vin Baker, left, in Seattle's new-look frontcourt. |
In one of the largest and most complicated trades in NBA history, the Ewing era ended in New York when he was dealt Wednesday to the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team, 12-player mega-trade.
The Knicks got back four draft picks and six players -- including Glen Rice from the Los Angeles Lakers and Luc Longley from the Phoenix Suns -- while the
Lakers picked up power forward Horace Grant from Seattle.
"The one thing I know is that Patrick is happy," said one of his best friends, Alonzo Mourning of Miami. "Based on the way New York treated him the last couple of years, it was disheartening to him that what he gave to that organization wasn't appreciated."
The Knicks, Lakers and Sonics had been trying for five weeks to work out a complicated trade that would get Ewing out of New York,
and the pieces finally came together when the Suns entered the picture.
Several other players were included in the trade to make it work under league salary-cap guidelines. The Knicks got Vernon Maxwell, Vladimir Stepania and Lazaro Borrell from Seattle and Travis Knight from Los Angeles.
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Who got whom
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Knicks: Acquired Glen Rice, Luc Longley, Travis Knight, Vernon Maxwell, Lazaro Borrell, Vladimir Stepania, two first-round picks and two second-round picks. Traded Patrick Ewing, Chris Dudley and a first-round pick.
Sonics: Acquired Patrick Ewing. Traded Horace Grant, Vernon Maxwell, Lazaro Borrell, Vladimir Stepania, Greg Foster, Chuck Person, Emanual Davis, a first-round pick and two second-round picks.
Lakers: Acquired Horace Grant, Greg Foster, Chuck Person, Emanual Davis. Traded Glen Rice, Travis Knight and a first-round pick.
Suns: Acquired Chris Dudley and a first-round pick. Traded Luc Longley.
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New York also got first-round draft picks in 2001 from the Lakers and Sonics, and two second-round picks in 2001 from Seattle.
The Lakers get Greg Foster, Chuck Person and Emanual Davis from
Seattle. Phoenix gets the Knicks' No. 1 pick in 2001 and center Chris Dudley from New York.
"It became clear that he was looking for a change, and when he requested a trade, we respected his request," Knicks general manager Scott Layden said. "It was important in doing so, however, that we had the ability to add value, and we believe we have done that."
"It was time for a change," Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts said at a news conference
Thursday. "He had requested a trade. And we honored that
request in respect for him. We will retire his number. There
will not be another player who will wear No. 33 for the Knicks."
Rice, a free agent, received a one-year offer from the Chicago Bulls this week. But he wavered on signing it as his agent, David Falk, tried to broker another deal, and the Bulls finally pulled the offer off the table Wednesday afternoon.
Rice ended up with the Knicks as part of a sign-and-trade transaction in which he got a multiyear contract from the Lakers
before being shipped immediately to New York.
The trade brings a close to Ewing's career in New York, where he arrived as the No. 1 pick in the 1985 draft and was expected to be
the type of franchise player who could bring the Knicks their first championship since 1973.
"Getting Patrick accomplishes a big offseason goal of ours," said Sonics general manager Wally Walker, adding that 48 trade scenarios were discussed between the Sonics, Knicks and Lakers. "Until we got on the conference call with the league this afternoon, I had no confidence that the deal would get done."
Now, the Sonics have a center who can help them compete with the better teams in the Western Conference.
"I think Patrick's going to come and add us something that we needed, We needed someone to cope with the Rasheed Wallaces and the Shaquille O'Neals," Seattle's Gary Payton said. "We hope this is going to help Vin (Baker) come back to the player he wants to be.
"I know Patrick's going to help our scoring, and it should open up things for me because a lot of people are going to be worried about doubling Patrick."
Ewing's only appearance in the NBA Finals came in 1994 when the Knicks lost to Houston in seven games. The Knicks made it back to
the finals in 1999, but Ewing was injured and did not play.
In last season's playoffs, Ewing was a big reason why the Knicks got past Miami in the second round. But against Indiana in the
conference finals, they were 2-0 when he sat out injured and 0-4 when he played.
"Patrick is one the hardest working, most loyal players I have ever been around," New York coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I have told him more than once that he is a champion even if he hasn't won a championship. He practiced and played like a champion every day he was here. Seattle is fortunate to get a player of his talent and
character."
Ewing has one year remaining on a four-year, $60 million contract and has said he would like to play two more years beyond this upcoming season. The Knicks expressed no interest in giving Ewing an extension, and Ewing's desire to leave became even greater when the Knicks started exploring the possibility of trading him
earlier this summer.
Ewing, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, met with Walker in August when a different first four-team trade was
discussed. That deal fell apart when the Detroit Pistons pulled out.
"There were many times we thought the deal was completely dead, but it got resurrected and here we are," Walker said. "We feel
great about it. The trade is not without risk given Patrick's age and injury history. But he's still one of the top half-dozen
centers in the game."
The NBA champion Lakers, who were on the verge of losing Rice on the free-agent market and getting nothing in return, come out
looking like the big winners.
Grant fills their void at power forward, while Rick Fox will presumably replace Rice in the starting lineup.
The Knicks received six players and four draft picks for a 38-year-old center with bad knees and a surgically repaired wrist. But they no longer have a top-caliber center.
"Hey, they have Luc Longley and Travis Knight," Miami's Tim Hardaway said.
New York also has a glut at small forward and shooting guard with Rice, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, Erick Strickland and Maxwell.
The trade was only the second four-team deal in NBA history, and Walker said a five-team deal was discussed at one point.
Philadelphia general manager Billy King said the 76ers were the fifth team.
"I don't think most people know how complex four- and five-team deals are, and how many moving parts are involved," Lakers general
manager Mitch Kupchak said.
"A lot of things happened this summer you can't explain -- deals falling apart, players we thought we had commitments from. This
deal made sense. I really felt if it didn't happen, it would be a shame. I'm relieved."
Information from SportsTicker was used in this report.
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ALSO SEE
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Breaking down the Ewing trade
Ratto: Boom! Ewing's a Sonic
Mourning: Ewing felt disrespected
Lakers pleased to get Grant, and rid of Rice
Suns get Dudley from Knicks
Rice reportedly backs away from Bulls at last minute
AUDIO/VIDEO
 The Seattle Sonics welcome their new center Patrick Ewing.
RealVideo: 28.8
ESPN's David Aldridge breaks down the four-team deal that sends Patrick Ewing to Seattle.
RealVideo: 28.8
 Sonics coach Paul Westphal is happy to have Patrick Ewing on his team.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Patrick Ewing is excited to play for the Seatle SuperSonics.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Patrick Ewing thought he would finish his career as a Knick. (John Thompson Show at Sports Talk 980)
wav: 322 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Sonics GM Wally Walker is happy to have a proven leader on his team.
wav: 175 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Gary Payton likes the addition of Patrick Ewing in Seattle.
wav: 170 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Glen Rice looks forward to the opportunities that New York provides.
wav: 216 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
"It is the end of an era," according to MSG President Dave Checketts.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Despite more trade rumors, GM Scott Layden says this is the team that the Knicks will take to camp.
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Jeff Van Gundy says Patrick Ewing felt it was time for change.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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