Don't let the New York accent fool you; Knicks general manager Scott Layden is still a Utahn when it comes to basketball.

Now beginning his second season in charge of personnel in New York after 18 years of various personnel capacities with the Utah Jazz, Layden on Friday engineered a deal to bring point guard Howard Eisley and small forward Shandon Anderson -- two of his Jazz finds -- to the Knicks as part of a three-team deal that shipped Glen Rice from New York and the rights to rookie point guard Kyle Hall from Dallas to Houston and Muggsy Bogues to Dallas.

The deal was widely reported Friday morning and continues to be confirmed by various source without comment from the two teams. Moreover, the three-way deal opens the door for the Dallas Mavericks to sign Miami Heat free agent point guard Tim Hardaway to a $3-4 million contract, sources told SportsLine.com.

And with Eisley and Hardaway now solidifying two more point guard situations, this now sets the stage for the Indiana Pacers to sign free agent point guard Rod Strickland from Portland to what is believed to be a multi-year deal beginning with the $4.538 exception.

Nonetheless, Anderson, a 27-year-old free agent who couldn't come to terms with Houston, has agreed to a sign-and-trade to New York believed to average around $5 million for the length of the deal. The brother of Willie, who was more talented but retired prematurely as a result of persistent fractures in both legs, Anderson is a role player who defends well and has career averages of 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, while the 6-foot-2 Eisley was a bit of a bust after the Mavericks acquired him last season in a sign-and-trade, although he did average a career-high 9.0 points and 3.6 assists.

Rice, 34, has continued to slide. Entering his 13th season, he is coming off a career-low 12.0 a game for the Knicks, and with three years and $28.5 million left on his contract, it's a surprise the Rockets would be interested. Evidently, they believe he can make the difference as they attempt to end their two-year absence from the playoffs.

The Knicks now have Eisley waging a battle with Charlie Ward and Mark Jackson at point guard, with Anderson and recently signed free agent Clarence Weatherspoon, who is a short power forward and a slow small forward, also in competition for time. Larry Johnson, battling back and knee problems, appears to be ready to jump into the fray as well.

Meanwhile, Bogues did not play last season and isn't expected to play this season either. But the Mavericks now have an approximate $5 million salary exception from the trading of Eisley so they can sign Hardaway, who was originally drafted by Mavs coach Don Nelson with the Golden State Warriors in 1989 that is $5 million less Bogues' $2 million salary (or $1 million should he retire).

Hardaway, 35 next month, has struggled the past three seasons with deteriorating knees and ankles, but the Mavericks are counting on him being a clutch player. Despite the maladies, he still averaged 14.9 points and 6.3 assists in 77 games for the Heat last season. And there is little risk involved. They have rid themselves of the final six years and $36 million of Eisley's deal and will have elbow room for next season if Hardaway doesn't work out.