Francis Is Traded to the Knicks

Steve Francis was traded Wednesday from the Orlando Magic to the last-place New York Knicks, who hope that pairing him in the backcourt with Stephon Marbury will help turn around their dismal season.

The Knicks sent Penny Hardaway, 34, and Trevor Ariza, 20, to Orlando. Though Marbury and Francis essentially play the same position, the Knicks are confident it will work out.

“We just want ballplayers,” New York Coach Larry Brown said. “I don’t get caught up in positions. I think Steve is strong enough to guard twos and quick enough to guard ones.”

Francis, 29, was averaging 16.2 points to lead the Magic, but he has feuded with Coach Brian Hill and was suspended for two games this season, reportedly for refusing to reenter the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.

By dealing him for Hardaway’s expiring $15.8-million contract, the Magic will get salary-cap relief after this season and will be in even better position when Grant Hill’s deal expires next year.

The Magic probably will waive Hardaway to re-sign Bo Outlaw, who was waived Wednesday to clear a roster spot.

New York is 15-38, the second-worst record in the NBA. Orlando is 19-34.

Though the Knicks have been rumored to be involved in other trades, President Isiah Thomas said the team could be done dealing unless the right offer comes along.

“I would say that right now we’re pretty satisfied with where we are,” he said. “I don’t think we will be actively out shopping and trying to make a deal or anything like that.”

Meanwhile, Francis, was upbeat about joining the Knicks.

“We both can complement each other,” Francis said, referring to Marbury. “Everybody has to pretty much feed off each other.”

The Knicks, whose league-high payroll will pass $130 million next season, dealt an expiring contract for a high-priced veteran for the second time this season after acquiring Jalen Rose from Toronto for Antonio Davis.

Francis is earning $13.7 million this season and is signed for three more. Together, he and Marbury will earn $30.2 million this season.

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Turner Sports studio host Ernie Johnson has lymphoma but plans to work through the end of the NBA season before beginning treatment in June.

Johnson, 49, said he was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago with a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he termed “low-grade and treatable.” He said he feels fine but decided to make his condition public because the swelling of a lymph node near his left ear had become noticeable to viewers, prompting questions.