Knicks Make Spree Offer

October 23, 1999 / 9:54 PM EDT / CBS/AP

After weeks of shopping Latrell Sprewell around the league, the New York Knicks have decided to keep their controversial star after all.

The Knicks made Sprewell an offer before Saturday's exhibition game against the Spurs.

The offer was not disclosed but Sprewell's agent, Robert Gist, had said he would ask for the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement six years and $78 million.

Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts and general manager Scott Layden met with Gist in Buffalo before the game.

The most controversial and popular member of the Knicks actually could have been a goner three weeks ago in a trade for Scottie Pippen.

"His name was discussed, he was available," said a high-ranking official with the Houston Rockets, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "He was never formally offered, but that's only because we decided quickly to do the trade with Portland."

Trade rumors involving Sprewell have been floating around all preseason. Lakers coach Phil Jackson talked about a possible Glen Rice-Sprewell trade, and it's no secret that the Knicks twice approached the Seattle SuperSonics to ask about Gary Payton.

Opposing general managers have also heard that the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat are coveting Sprewell. But it seems unlikely Checketts would approve a trade of such a fan favorite to the former coach he despises, Pat Riley, or the former team president he dumped in April, Ernie Grunfeld.

In 1997 Sprewell received the longest suspension and what amounted to the largest fine in league history for attacking and threatening the life of Golden State Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo.

He drives recklessly, stayed incommunicado all summer and has a reputation of being a troublemaker. In the Knicks' locker room, he's pretty much a loner.

Many owners and general managers around the league remain philosophically opposed to acquiring such a volatile player.

"They don't know me, they haven't coached me, they don't know that I come to practice every day and what I do," Sprewell said. "They just know what they're read and hear from a few other people. As far as I'm concerned, it's their loss and not mine."