NEW YORK - Dikembe Mutombo signed a multiyear contract with the Knicks on Thursday, two days after he accepted a buyout and was waived by the Nets.
"I know Dikembe very well through the years and there is no question he'll fit right into our system and thrive," Knicks coach Don Chaney said. "There aren't many players in NBA history that can change the course of a game as much as he does."
The eight-time All-Star has been on the decline the past two seasons, but he provides the Knicks a much-needed defensive presence at center, a void that has gone unfilled since Patrick Ewing was traded before the 2000-01 season.
The Knicks were the worst shot-blocking team in the league last season and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
Kurt Thomas, a natural power forward, has been the team's starting center most of the past two seasons. New York tried to acquire Mutombo from Philadelphia two summers ago before the 76ers dealt him to the Nets.
Mutombo is expected to join New York today.
"Adding a shot blocker and rebounder of Dikembe's caliber to our team dramatically improves key areas that we were looking to upgrade," team president Scott Layden said. "His basketball resume is so impressive that having the chance to add him to our club was something we were not going to pass up."
Mutombo, a four-time defensive player of the year, played in 24 games last season and had a wrist injury that required surgery around Thanksgiving. The 37-year-old did not return until late in the regular season and was on the bench for most of the Nets' playoff run to the NBA title series.
The Nets cited financial concerns in announcing the buyout of the final two years of Mutombo's contract, which had $37-million remaining on it. Mutombo's chances of playing this season diminished with Jason Collins and Aaron Williams returning and Alonzo Mourning, Mutombo's teammate at Georgetown, signing as a free agent.
Mourning criticized the buyout, saying it showed the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions were more interested in money than in winning.
EUROPEAN EXPANSION: Some teams could have training camps in Europe as soon as 2005, and commissioner David Stern said preseason workouts and games could increase basketball's appeal on the continent.
Stern also said the league could expand to Europe by the end of the decade, but only if Europeans become bigger fans of the sport and build bigger stadiums.
Speaking before a preseason game between the Spurs and the Grizzlies, Stern said the influx of foreign players into the league has helped spread its popularity outside the United States.
CELTICS: Forward Vin Baker practiced and is expected to be ready for the team's next preseason game despite his bruised heel. Baker hurt his foot Wednesday against the Pistons. It was Baker's first game since he was suspended indefinitely Feb. 27, after which he said he was a binge drinker and sought treatment.
PACERS: Forward Austin Croshere will miss 2-4 weeks with a pulled left hamstring. He was hurt in Wednesday night's preseason opener against the Bulls.
TIMBERWOLVES: A sore Achilles' tendon probably will keep Latrell Sprewell out of the lineup when he returns to New York for a preseason game Saturday against his former team.
Preseason games
NUGGETS 113, SUNS 100: Carmelo Anthony scored 19 in his NBA debut for host Denver. Anthony was the third pick in the draft after leading Syracuse to the NCAA title as a freshman in the spring.
NETS 84, KNICKS 75: Alonzo Mourning scored 13, including seven during a second-half run, for New Jersey at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
TIMBERWOLVES 99, BUCKS 98: Kevin Garnett scored 30 and rookie Keith McLeod hit a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left to give Minnesota the win at Columbus, Ohio.
