Knicks Look To Deal Riley

The New York Knicks said they are willing to release former coach Pat Riley from the final year of his contract in exchange for one of the Miami Heat’s two 1996 first-round draft picks.

As both clubs continue their dialogue regarding the Knicks’ tampering claim against the Heat in June, two officials for the Knicks have privately indicated they are willing to settle the matter before Commissioner David Stern’s ruling, expected late this week or early next week.

The 16 players who have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the National Basketball Association have told their colleagues the owners “fooled the union leadership again” in the latest tentative labor agreement.

The players offered that view in a letter mailed to all players last Friday with an eight-page analysis done by the two lawyers who represent the dissident players.

The Boston Celtics lost one of the last links to their championship days when Tod Rosensweig, vice president of marketing and communications, informed the team he was resigning after 21 years.