Take No. 33 out of mothballs: Knicks acquire Ewing Jr.

NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks acquired rookie forward Patrick Ewing Jr. in a trade with the Houston Rockets on Friday.

New York sent the draft rights for center Frederic Weis to Houston in exchange for the son of former superstar Patrick Ewing, who played for the Knicks from 1985-2000.

"Patrick Ewing will have an opportunity here to compete for a spot on our roster," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said in a statement released by the team. "He is a solid defensive player and a very good athlete."

"Coming to the Knicks, and hopefully being able to contribute, means a lot to me. It has always been my dream to play for this team," Ewing Jr. said in the team statement. "My goal is to show the coaches that I can play and do all that I can to help the team win some games."

Ewing, 6-8, 240-pounds, was originally drafted by Sacramento as the 43rd overall selection. He was traded to the Rockets on Aug. 14 as part of a multiplayer deal.

Ewing, 24, played at Indiana University before transferring to Georgetown. As a senior with the Hoyas in 2007-08, he was named the Big East Sixth Man of the Year.