The New York Knicks have signed Wilson Chandler,their first round draft choice in the 2007 NBA Draft. The forward from DePaul was an early entry candidate after playing two seasons in the NCAA. He averaged 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Blue Demons. Only 20 years of age, he made a good first impression by averaging 13.4 points and 5.2 boards per game in recent Summer League action in Las Vegas. The 6′8″, 230-pound Chandler started all five contests and helped the Knicks go undefeated.

When the New York Knicks acquired Zach Randolph a couple of days ago the team welcomed in one of the most troubled players in the NBA basketball. And now there is a chance to get one of the sport’s good guys.

Derek Fisher was released by the Jazz to take better care of his ill daughter. Now he would love to play for the New York Knicks, where his little daughter has been receiving necessary treatment for retinoblastoma.

The sportsman’s agent Mark Bartelstein spoke to New York’s assistant GM Glen Grunwald about the possibility, which seems a bit remote at the moment.

The New York Knicks have seventeen players on their roster and are stocked at guard. However, for Derek Fisher it would be the perfect match. Bartelstein stated that it was all very preliminary, however the sportsman would have a lot of interest to play in New York, as his daughter id receiving care in this city.

Bartelstein also stated that Derek is now planning to play next season. His return to the Lakers, where he will be a starter, is probably a stronger possibility than New York.

If the good guy joins the New York Knicks, the popularity of the team will definitely rise, so be sure to get your New York Knicks tickets ahead of time through our reliable ticket broker.

Now that the Knicks have acquired solid citizen Zach Randolph, the rumors have begun that Isiah Thomas wants to complete the club by making a trade for Ron Artest. The Queensbridge product is said to be on the block in Sacramento. Could the former St. John’s Red Storm star come home and stay out of trouble? He is a very talented player that if he does come on board, it may right a wrong from the night that the Knicks passed over Artest to select French center Frederick Weiss.

Isiah Thomas had to do something to make a splash. After having the Chicago Bulls swap picks with his team from 23 to nine from the Eddy Curry trade, he needed to make a move. With a roster full of bad contracts, that would not be easy.

No one can ever accuse the Knicks president and head coach of being afraid to make a trade. Thus the reason why he has so many of those immovable contracts. But the Portland Trailblazers did have a player that they were interested in moving. And Isiah was waiting to bring him on.

Portland won the lottery and chose Greg Oden with the overall number one pick. The 7’ center from Ohio State may appear to be a man, but he is still six months shy of his 20th birthday. Possibly not wanting to have a player with character issues on the roster to give their new franchise player the wrong ideas, the Blazers were willing to move Zach Randolph.

Still only 2Still only 25, the power forward averaged 20.1 and a career-high 10.5 rebounds per game last season. The problem with Randolph was not on the court, but rather off. During his five years in the league, he has been arrested for driving under the influence; suspended for punching a teammate in practice; accused by Indiana police of lying in an investigation involving a shooting at a nightclub allegedly committed by his brother; sued for assault and sexual assault; and being at a strip club in Portland after being granted bereavement leave to attend a funeral in Indiana.

“I don’t have any concerns about that,” Thomas said at the team press conference introducing Randolph to the media. “All the background that we’ve done and the extensive research that we did, I feel confident. We spoke to some very high level people that vouched for him [Randolph]. He’s made some mistakes in the past, but you grow from those.”

The five-year pro from Michigan State has a career average of 16 PPG and 7.7 RPG and will bring a presence to the paint with his 6-9, 260-pound body. Randolph also does not feel that his track record is going to be an issue.

“I was young. Don’t judge me from the past, judge me for the future,” Randolph said. “This is a new start for me, a new slate. I’m going to come out here and play hard and focus every game. Just try to help this team win and better myself.”

In exchange for the fiery forward, the Knicks sent Steve Francis and Channing Frye to the Rose City. In the deal, the Knicks also acquired two expiring contracts in guards Dan Dickau and Fred Jones. Although Randolph has four years and $61 million left on his deal, Thomas was able to shed himself of the two years and $33.6 million owed to the man once known as “Stevie Franchise.”

“We gave up two guys that can still play,” said Thomas. “Steve [Francis] can still play and Channing [Frye] has a very bright future.”

Most reports from the trade have the Knicks getting a steal. But Thomas did not agree when posed the question.

“I think that Steve is still a high-level player in this league and I think Channing one day will be a guy that averages 20 points and 10 rebounds a game,” he said. “If not next year, then playing along side Greg Oden, he will be.”

Considering that the Knicks faired well in 2006-07 from the inside, teaming Randolph with Curry will make them very formidable in the paint. Thomas viewed this as a positive and explained that they play the game inside-out, so having two big men that can score will not be a problem as far as touches go. He even went as far as answering if they are a playoff team right now with “We should be.”

Randolph was unable to stay away from the inquisitive media concerning his troubled past. New York would have it no other way.

“I was young,” he said. “Don’t judge me from the past, judge me for the future. This is a new start for me. A new slate.”

When asked if Thomas sat down with him to discuss the off-the-court concerns, Thomas said, “We talked about it. He knows I know how to handle myself as a professional.”

For the fans that will be coming to Madison Square Garden in the fall, we certainly hope so.