Knick Draft Pick Weis Reportedly Signs in Greece

Frederic Weis, arguably the most ridiculed first-round draft pick in the history of the New York Knicks, reportedly has signed a two-year contract with a team in Greece.

L’Equipe, a French newspaper, reported Thursday that Weis had signed a two-year contract worth $1.3 million with PAOK Thessaloniki. Knick General Manager Scott Layden said he had not been formally notified of any signing.

If Weis signs overseas before Sept. 1, the Knicks will retain his NBA rights.

Frank Catapano, the U.S.-based agent for Weis, could not be reached for comment.

The 7-foot-2 center was chosen 15th overall in the 1999 draft as the Knicks elected to pass on guard Ron Artest, who was taken by Chicago with the next pick.

“I like Frederic, I wish him well and hope this works out for him,” Layden said. “We’ll continue to watch and see how he develops.”

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The Orlando Magic worked out sign-and-trade deals with the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, resulting in a nice extra chunk of cash for Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady.

Both players signed seven-year, maximum salary deals worth $93 million with their old teams, then were traded to the Magic.

Free agents Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace, who already were prepared to sign with Detroit, ended up signing with the Magic and then being traded to the Pistons for Hill.

McGrady, who was prepared to sign a six-year deal with Orlando containing 10% annual raises, instead gets a seven-year deal starting at $9.6 million with annual raises of 12.5%.

Orlando sent a future No. 1 pick to Toronto for McGrady.

The Magic also made a trade with Cleveland, sending forward Matt Harpring to the Cavaliers for center Andrew DeClercq.

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Tony Massenburg, a much-traveled 6-9 forward, returned to the Vancouver Grizzlies as a free agent after spending last season with the Houston Rockets.

Massenburg signed under the midlevel exception. The length of his contract was not disclosed.

Massenburg, 33, played two of his most productive seasons in the NBA with the Grizzlies from 1997-98 through 1998-99, averaging 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds.

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Johnny Newman, whose 14-year career has taken him to six NBA cities, reached agreement with the New Jersey Nets on a multiyear contract.

“We are very pleased to bring Johnny back to the Nets,” President Rod Thorn said. “He is a versatile player who provides veteran leadership.”

Newman averaged 10.0 points and 1.9 rebounds last season.

The Nets also filled out Byron Scott’s coaching staff, retaining Eddie Jordan and Mike O’Koren and adding former Vancouver assistant Lawrence Frank.

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One day after re-signing Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs kept the player who will get him the ball--point guard Avery Johnson.

The Spurs also re-signed guard Antonio Daniels, which means they’ve locked up all three of their top free agents.

Johnson reportedly received a one-year deal for $8 million and Daniels a three-year deal worth about $9.5 million.

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First-round draft pick Desmond Mason signed a three-year contract with the Seattle SuperSonics.

As the 17th overall pick, Mason was eligible under the rookie salary scale to sign a three-year contract worth $3.47 million.