CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 3 - In a bold attempt to accelerate the Knicks' rebuilding effort, the team president Isiah Thomas made his greatest gamble yet Monday night, striking a deal in principle to acquire center Eddy Curry from Chicago.

Curry has shown great promise but is also considered a great risk because of heart problems that compelled the Bulls to unload him.

The Knicks will send forwards Tim Thomas and Mike Sweetney, and a first-round pick in the 2006 draft, to the Bulls, according to an Eastern Conference team executive who had knowledge of the deal. The Knicks will receive Curry, the veteran forward Antonio Davis and possibly draft picks. For salary-cap purposes, the Knicks will also sign and immediately trade guard Jermaine Jackson to Chicago.

The team executive spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not final.

Curry has shown immense promise in four seasons since going directly from high school to the N.B.A. in 2001. At 6 feet 11 inches and 285 pounds, he is strong and athletic and is generally regarded as one of the most talented young big men in the league. Curry averaged 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds -- in just 28.7 minutes a game -- last season.