<
>

AP source: Knicks agree to deal with Brandon Jennings

NEW YORK -- Brandon Jennings will finally play for the Knicks, seven years after they passed over him in the draft.

Jennings agreed to a contract Monday, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press, confirming reports of the point guard's one-year, $5 million deal on condition of anonymity because it can't be signed until Thursday.

The Knicks took forward Jordan Hill with the No. 8 pick in 2009. Jennings went two picks later to Milwaukee, and he hurt the Knicks with a series of strong performances early in his career when he played against them.

Now he will come to New York as the backup to Derrick Rose, whom the Knicks acquired from Chicago in a trade last month.

If they stay healthy, the Knicks will have fulfilled new coach Jeff Hornacek's goal of upgrading the point guard spot. Jose Calderon, last year's starter, and backup Jerian Grant were dealt to Chicago on June 22 in the Rose trade.

Jennings was limited to 48 games while recovering from an Achilles injury last season with Detroit and then Orlando after he was traded at midseason. He has averaged 15.5 points and 5.9 assists in 460 games.