From the July 14, 2005, edition of the New York Times:
↵↵↵[Jerome] James, who played the last four seasons in Seattle, agreed yesterday to a five-year deal with the Knicks, according to his agent. Precise terms will not be set until the league completes its new labor deal. But it was expected that James will earn about $5 million in the first year of the contract, and $29 million over five years.
↵Before the contract is signed, James will be installed as the starting center, a job he will win by default.
↵
Damn your voodoo, Jerome James.