Curry to Knicks trade becomes official

The Bulls reported Monday night that they had dealt Curry and veteran forward/center Antonio Davis to the Knicks in exchange for forwards Tim Thomas and Michael Sweetney, plus guard Jermaine Jackson.

Chicago will also receive a conditional 2006 first-round draft choice from New York as well as the Knicks’ second-round selections in 2007 and 2009. The Bulls also have the right to switch first-round picks with New York in 2007, provided that the Knicks’ selection is between numbers one through 24 in the draft order.

The trade is still contingent on all players passing physicals, and Curry will have to undergo a thorough battery of tests because of an irregular heartbeat which caused the budding star to miss the final 13 games of last season. The 22-year-old ended the campaign averaging 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest.

The Bulls had apparently wanted Curry to take a DNA test to see if his heart was going to be a problem where he wouldn’t be able to play. Curry though, according to Chicago general manager Jim Paxson, refused to undergo the genetic testing.

"I would never put a player on the floor in a Chicago Bulls uniform if I didn’t do everything in my power to find out all the information that was available to us," Paxson said on Monday. "You can debate genetic testing ’til you’re blue in the face. But from what I know, from what I’ve learned over the last six months, that test could have helped us determine the best course of action.

"From a basketball standpoint, I understand what I’m doing," Paxson continued. "But I have an obligation to this organization and the people I work for to do the right thing. And I did the right thing. That’s all I’ve got to say."

Davis, 36, has played in 12 NBA seasons averaging 10.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Sweetney, 22, will enter his third season in the NBA this year and has averaged 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. 28-year-old Thomas has played in eight seasons averaging 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.