According to every major New York Newspaper: Before practice, Coach Jeff Van Gundy met with Charlie Ward to tell him he had been replaced by Eisley. Ward, a Knicks starter for more than three seasons, will no longer be in the team's eight- or nine-man rotation for the first time since his rookie season of 1994-95.

Ward, whose eight-year tenure with the Knicks is the longest on the team, said he did not want to be traded. Scott Layden has been trying to trade Ward since the end of last season, shortly after Ward made statements that were viewed by many as anti-Semitic. But the health of Ward's knees and the three years and $17.3 million remaining on his contract have probably scared off teams.

For Van Gundy, who is fiercely loyal to his veterans, it was a gut-wrenching decision. Ward has credited Van Gundy with his development as a player; but that didn't stop the latter from making this tough move.

"I'm sure he probably stayed up all night, knowing him, knowing that he has to make the decision," Ward said. "It's one thing to have a guy that's going to complain, carry on and do crazy things. It's another thing that he has a guy who accepts and keeps on moving. I try and make it as easy as possible on him."