NEW YORK - Isiah Thomas believes Jared Jeffries adds something more important than size and athleticism to the New York Knicks.

New York Knicks President of Basketball Operations and head coach Isiah Thomas, right, poses with his latest acquisition, free agent forward Jared Jeffries, formerly of the Washington Wizards, as Jeffries holds his jersey during a press conference announcing his arrival Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006, at Madison Square Garden in New York.[AP]

"One of the things that was written and said and was true about us, chemistry wasn't right. What Jared brings to us more so than talent, he brings chemistry," the Knicks' president and coach said Tuesday after he introduced the team's newest addition.

The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Jeffries, selected by Washington with the 11th overall pick in the 2002 draft, averaged 6.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in four seasons with the Wizards. The Knicks signed the restricted free agent to a five-year, $30 million offer sheet ¡ª the maximum midlevel salary-cap exemption ¡ª on July 28. Washington declined to match the offer on Monday.

Jeffries' athleticism gives the Knicks a player who can play a variety of positions.

"His ball-handling skills are pretty unique for a player of his size, and his passing skills are pretty unique," Thomas said. "He's pretty complete as a player. Every night you can mismatch your lineup. You can move him around in different places strategically that may give you an advantage on that night."

Thomas also believes Jeffries is a perfect fit for the type of team he is building.

"When you look at he, (Channing) Frye, (Eddy) Curry, David Lee. Those type of athletes, those type of players, that type of personality are the guys when you look forward you can kind of see where we're going with our team," Thomas said.

Thomas acknowledged he didn't think the Knicks had a chance to get Jeffries when the free-agent signing period began July 1.

"I didn't think we had any shot until he made it clear to myself that he wanted to play here and he wanted to play for me," Thomas said.

Jeffries also believed he would be staying in Washington until negotiations with the Wizards dragged on and his agent, Andy Miller, began discussing options with other teams. The former Indiana star wasn't dismayed by the Knicks' struggles ¡ª they lost 59 games last season ¡ª and said he was always drawn to Thomas because both played for the Hoosiers.

"I've been around Indiana, I knew when he was with the Pacers," Jeffries said. "And I looked at the team ... It was a good situation for me.

"We have a lot of good young players, a good young core group of players and I want to be a part of that."

Jeffries is known for his perimeter defense, but is looking for the opportunity to show his other skills.

"Hopefully Coach Thomas gives me the situation where I can go out and expand more," Jeffries said. "Maybe handle the ball more, be able to distribute the ball more, get more assists, run up and down the court, really get out and push the ball."

The Knicks still have an excess of guards with Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Nate Robinson and Jalen Rose. Though Thomas wouldn't rule out any additional moves, he wasn't concerned that playing time would be an issue.

"I'm not looking for the most comfortable situation," he said. "I want the best team. In this league you want the best players. I can deal with it being a little uncomfortable.

"You need competition to create a healthy environment and the best people play. You have to compete to get minutes and beat the other guy out. I feel good we have a team now that players everyday have to come to practice and there's no guaranteed minutes."