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New York Knicks: The questionable trade that Antonio McDyess headlined

By Rob Wolkenbrod

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 9: (L-R) Howard Eisley #4 and Antonio McDyess #34 of the New York Knicks on the court during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 98-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is concenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 9: (L-R) Howard Eisley #4 and Antonio McDyess #34 of the New York Knicks on the court during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 9, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 98-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is concenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In this latest edition of New York Knicks Trade History, a look back at the deal that sent Marcus Camby and Nene out of town.

Among the flurry of trades made in the early 2000s, the New York Knicks sent out young players for veterans. Most of them did not work out, and the latest one in this edition of Trade History was not a transaction to look back on.

At the 2002 NBA Draft, the Knicks sent their first-round pick and two other players to the Denver Nuggets for a package centered around Antonio McDyess. The deal failed almost immediately.

What the Knicks traded

On draft night, New York sent Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and the rights to Nene, who was just made the seventh overall pick, to Denver.

Camby was one of the NBA’s premier shot blockers in his first six seasons, including 3.7 blocks per game with the Toronto Raptors in 1997-98. He still floated around two per game with the Knicks, but dealt with a suspension in 2000-01 and injuries in the following season, which made him expendable.

Camby solidified the Nuggets frontcourt for the next six seasons, averaging 10.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and three blocks per game. It was some of the best years of his career and already marked a successful deal for this franchise.

Jackson ended his second Knicks stint with this trade, but he never suited up for the Nuggets, who waived him before the 2002-03 season started.

Nene, the seventh overall pick of the draft, struggled at times to stay healthy, but he still played 10 seasons in the midwest and was a frontcourt stalwart in his final three years there.

What the Knicks acquired

The Knicks made this effort for McDyess, which was already a curious decision before he played a game. Injuries limited his 2001-02 season to just 10 games and a decline from the 20 points, 10 rebounds average in 2000-01.

In a preseason game for New York, McDyess reaggravated a knee injury and missed the entire 2002-03 campaign, turning this from head-scratching to a catastrophic move.

McDyess returned for just 18 games the next season, before the Knicks used his high salary to acquire Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway from the Phoenix Suns, where he played just 24 games.

Frank Williams accompanied McDyess, but was only point guard depth for his two seasons in the Big Apple. He was out of the NBA after 2004-05.

Last, the Knicks took back a 2003 second-round pick, which became Maciej Lampe. The Suns acquired him in the Marbury trade.

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This trade heavily skewed towards the Nuggets, while the New York Knicks reaped minimal, if any, benefits. It was one of many regrettable deals in this era of franchise history.

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