Ewing, Knicks Agree To Four-Year Contract

The New York Knicks re-signed Patrick Ewing Wednesday to a four-year contract that will keep the All-Star center with the team that drafted him.

“I’m happy to be here,” said Ewing, who joined the Knicks as the first overall pick in the 1985 draft out of Georgetown. “I’m going to be here for the rest of my career.”

The signing comes a day after Ewing, 34, became a free agent. Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts said two marathon negotiating sessions with Ewing’s agent, David Falk, are all it took to keep the franchise player from moving on.

Ewing, named one of the 50 greatest players in National Basketball Association history during the season, has averaged 23.6 points and 10.4 rebounds during his career.

Financial terms of the contract weren’t disclosed, although WFAN-AM radio, the team’s flagship station, reported that is worth between $14 million and $15 million a season.

The Toronto Raptors re-signed Walt Williams to a five-year, $20 million contract, a significant pay raise for the free agent guard and forward who made the league minimum of $247,500 last season.

The Phoenix Suns re-signed veteran free agent Mark Bryant to a two-year contract.

The Los Angeles Clippers announced they have waived former first-round draft choice Terry Dehere and renounced the rights to center Dwayne Schintzius.

Austin Croshere, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 17.9 points last season for Providence and the 12th pick in the NBA draft last week, will sign a contract today with the Indiana Pacers.