NBA Free Agency 2012: Marcus Camby Has Meeting Set with New York—Updated

UPDATE: July 9 8:06 p.m ET

Welcome back to New York, Marcus Camby!

The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets have agreed to a deal that would send Marcus Camby to the Knicks on a three-year, $13.2 million deal, with the final year including a partial guarantee according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. 

Houston will receive Toney Douglas, Josh Harrelson and Jerome Jordan. The Rockets will also receive New York's second-round picks in 2014 and 2015.

UPDATE: July 9 5:46 p.m ET

Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post stated on twitter, "Source confirms #Knicks are on the verge of acquiring Marcus Camby via sign-and-trade for Toney Douglas, Josh Harrelson, Dan Gadzuric, JJordan."

Shortly after this tweet was sent out, Marcus Camby took to his own twitter to send out a tweet, in which he wrote, "Decisions, decisions, decisions." 

I'm still unsure of who else the Knicks would receive from Houston in this deal, but Camby is the center piece.

We could see a deal announced within the next 24 hours. 

UPDATE: July 8 5:30 p.m ET

Yesterday, Ken Berger, NBA Insider at CBS, sent out a tweet to all his followers that Marcus Camby had postponed his meeting with the Miami Heat, but would still meet with the Knicks. Just moments ago, Berger sent out another tweet about Camby's meeting with New York.

"Marcus Camby had a 'very productive' meeting with the Knicks today, source said. Nothing agreed to, as sign/trade options are in play." 

This is good news for the Knicks. 

-------End of Update-------

Clearly the Knicks have many issues that needed addressing this offseason. With reports coming from Marc Berman that New York will match Houston's offer to Jeremy Lin and the Knicks also signing a backup point guard in Jason Kidd, the Knickerbockers still need bench depth—especially for their bigs. 

Houston is clearly in a rebuilding effort, as those watching them attempt to make a splash via free agency can tell; Marcus Camby has also seen this and is hesitant to re-sign with them. 

The Rockets' attempt to get younger could be a bonus for the Knicks. While they do not need another aging player, the Knicks need someone that could come off the bench to relieve Tyson Chandler when in foul trouble without sacrificing too much...and that answer could be Marcus Camby.

In my opinion, Camby and Chandler are very similar players. Both are relentless in the paint, making their presence felt, and both are aggressive on the boards. When Chandler was not on the floor last season, the Knicks were a liability on defense, which resulted in opponents gaining a lot of second-chance opportunities. With Camby coming off the bench, things will not be so easy for opponents. 

After being traded to the Rockets last season, Camby looked rejuvenated. In his 19 games with Houston, he averaged 7.1 PPG along with 9.3 RPG. This kind of production is not bad for a 37 year old who will turn 38 in November.

The only way New York will be able to acquire the 6'11" rebounder is if he is willing to come down significantly from the $11 million he made last season. The Knicks cannot come close to offering this kind of money. However, New York is closer to Camby's hometown in Connecticut, and they will be a contender; this may entice the free agent center.  

Camby is scheduled to meet with Miami this weekend followed by a meeting with Knicks management, according to Luke Adams of HoopsRumors.com.