Patrick Ewing Jr. acquired by the Knicks

The New York Knicks acquired forward Patrick Ewing Jr. from the Houston Rockets for the rights to center Frederic Weis. Weis was drafted by the Knicks in the with the 15^th selection in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft. However, he never signed with New York, electing to continue his European basketball career. Weis, now 31, seems to have no future in the Rockets plans and is currently playing for the Spanish club, Iurbentia Bilbao.

To draft Weis, the Knicks passed up New York Native Ron Artest, James Posey and Andrei Kirilenko. The 7’2” French center is best remembered for being dunked on by Vince Carter in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Ewing Jr. was drafted 43^rd overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2008 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Rockets on August 14^th as part of a multi-player deal. Knicks executive Donnie Walsh tried to acquire a second-round pick to select Ewing during draft night. As a senior at Georgetown he won the Big East Sixth Man of the Year award.

Walsh believes Ewing can compete for a roster spot even though he is entering training camp as the 16th man. The franchise can only have 15 players under contract right now. However, if Zach Randolph gets traded to the Memphis Grizzles or Stephon Marbury gets released it could create an opening for the former Hoya. The Knicks open camp in Saratoga Springs on September 30^th. 

Ewing recorded an impressive 42-inch vertical at the pre-draft combine in May. He also has a 7-foot wingspan which could make him a solid defensive player in the league. The 6’8, 240 pound forward is a thunderous dunker and received one of only two perfect scores at the 2008 College Slam Dunk Championship.

Ewing’s father, Patrick Ewing Sr. is the Knicks franchise leader in points, rebounds, blocked shots and games played. He was selected by the team 1^st overall in the 1985 NBA draft and was selected as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players. He is also set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this week.