That demand has led to speculation about the Yankees being more willing to trade than to sign Williams.

In the off season, they signed Williams, an 11th-year pro, as a free agent, despite recent arthroscopic knee surgery.

The Knicks do not have any room under the salary cap to sign Williams, but that could change.

The Yankees, left without a viable cleanup hitter, determined to sign Williams.

Watson said he would be content with signing Williams to a one-year contract, after which he could become a free agent.

Nathan only wanted to sign Williams, but Williams insisted on taking the rest of the group along.

Brown signed a six-year, $24 million deal and Williams a four-year, $8.7 million contract.

Ten days later, they signed Williams to another 10 day contract.

The Nets signed Williams to a seven-year deal worth $90.75 million the next day.

The Yankees do not believe they can sign Williams to a multiyear contract because he wants $70 million over seven years.