Sources: Knicks Ahead Of Heat In Camby Chase

Miami Heat president Pat Riley was able to get Ray Allen at a discount, convincing him to take half has much money as he was offered by the Boston Celtics.

If the Heat want to land their next free-agent target, veteran center Marcus Camby, Riley is going have to make the same sale or likely lose out to the New York Knicks.

Camby's starting point for salary, sources said, is $3 million per season on a multiyear deal. The only way for the Heat to make that work is a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets, who own Camby's rights. The Rockets, however, are interested in a sign-and-trade with the Knicks but not with the Heat, sources told ESPN.com.

The Knicks, sources said, have had discussions with the Rockets about Camby and the Dallas Mavericks about a sign-and-trade for free agent Jason Kidd, who agreed to join the Knicks earlier this week. The Knicks are hoping to make a sign-and-trade deal for one of them and use their $3.09 mid-level exception to sign the other.

Camby was scheduled to meet with the Heat on Saturday and the Knicks on Sunday. If Riley cannot swing a sign-and-trade with Houston, the best he can offer Camby is the veteran's minimum of about $1.4 million, less than half of what the Knicks could offer via a sign-and-trade or the mid-level.

Camby, who averaged 4.9 points and 9.0 rebounds in 59 games with the Portland Trail Blazers and Rockets last season, has other suitors, including the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks, however, have made him a priority.

The Heat are scheduled to host veteran power forward Rashard Lewis on Sunday, who recently was bought out by the New Orleans Hornets. With Allen set to take the Heat's mid-level exception when he signs after July 11, Lewis is facing the same option in Miami as Camby.

The best the Heat can offer is the $1.4 million veteran's minimum. Lewis is not eligible for a sign-and-trade.

Source: Sources: Knicks Ahead Of Heat In Camby Chase