NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks will sign forwards Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas to contracts for the remainder of the season, according to league sources.
Both Thomas and Amundson are currently on their second 10-day contracts. Once those contracts expire (Thursday is the last day of Amundson's current deal; Friday is the final day on Thomas' contract), each player will be eligible to sign with any team.
The Knicks will not let that happen, though, league sources said.
The move to retain both veteran forwards was endorsed on Wednesday night by Derek Fisher, who said it would be "very important" to keep both players on the roster. The Knicks coach has credited Amundson, Thomas and guard Langston Galloway for changing the mood around the team, which started the season 5-36 but has won four of its past five.
"Those three guys, I think we’ll all just continue to say how impactful they’ve been," Fisher said. "I think you guys are seeing it on the court, I think our locker room is feeling it and I think our fans are feeling it. They’re bringing a good brand of basketball to our team."
Amundson, whose deal with the Knicks was first reported by Real GM earlier Thursday, had five points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in Wednesday's win over Oklahoma City. He's averaging eight rebounds in his past three games. Meanwhile, Thomas had 17 points and five rebounds in New York's win over the Thunder, and has scored at least 16 points in the past three games.
With Galloway, Amundson and Thomas set to be with the team for the rest of the season, the Knicks will have 15 players on guaranteed contracts. So the only way for them to add players at this point is via trade or waiving a player with a guaranteed contract.
The Knicks have explored the trade market for veteran guard Jose Calderon and forward Andrea Bargnani, according to sources. Calderon is owed $15 million over the next two seasons and may be difficult to move. Bargnani, who has played just one game this season due to various injuries, is in the last year of his contract worth $11 million. He will also be tough to move and is a candidate to be waived.
The Knicks have also shopped veteran point guard Pablo Prigioni. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Detroit is among the teams that have shown interest.
In addition, New York has discussed internally the possibility of buying out Amar'e Stoudemire to allow him to play for a contender, league sources said. Stoudemire, in the final year of a five-year, $100 million pact, would have to agree to such an arrangement. He recently expressed uncertainty about finishing the season with the Knicks but it is unclear if he'd be interested in a buyout.