New York, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Knicks acquired guard Larry Hughes from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for forward Tim Thomas, guard Anthony Roberson and center Jerome James on Thursday.
The Knicks also dealt forward Malik Rose to Oklahoma City in exchange for forward Chris Wilcox, who became available when Tyson Chandler failed his physical on Wednesday, nullifying a four-player trade between the Thunder and New Orleans Hornets. The Knicks also sent cash considerations to Oklahoma City.
"With these trades, we have added two talented players and strengthened our backcourt and frontline, while also not losing sight of our long term goals," Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh said. "Chris and Larry are versatile players that will have good opportunities to thrive in our system."
The 30-year-old Hughes, who Chicago acquired in a deadline-deal last season, is scheduled to make $13.6 million for the 2009-10 season.
The 11-year veteran has averaged 14.7 points for five teams in his NBA career after arriving in the league as a top-10 pick of Philadelphia after just one season in college at St. Louis.
New York will be the fourth stop in Wilcox's seven-year career. The Maryland product, who averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 37 games this season for the Thunder, is a free agent after this season.
"Chris is a gifted athletic big man that brings toughness and solidifies our interior defense," New York head coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Larry fits nicely in our backcourt. He is extremely athletic and a tough defender with a solid overall game."
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The oft-traveled Thomas has played for the 76ers, Bucks, Knicks, Phoenix, Clippers and a short three-game stint with the Bulls in 2005-06. The 31-year- old has played in 788 career games, averaging 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.
Roberson and James were mere fill-ins in the New York/Chicago deal, while Rose, a 13-year veteran out of Drexel, has averaged just under nine minutes per game for New York this season, putting up a career-low 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds an outing.
