Forward Sharrod Ford averaged 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in 2010-11 with Sutor Montegranaro in Italy.

The Erie BayHawks thought they had got the big man they had been scouting for a minute.

They’ll instead have to keep the player they needed to get the player they wanted.

Earlier today, a trade that sent forward Sharrod Ford to the expansion Canton Charge for forward Frank Hassell on Monday was voided because Hassell failed a team physical due to some problems with his right knee.

At Tuesday’s practice in Erie, Hassell said his knee had swollen as he had ice on it. Out of Old Dominion, Hassell said the ice was just a precaution. Turns out it was enough to stop the trade.

So Hassell, 23, returned to Canton where he was a fan favorite and Ford, 30, is with the BayHawks, who were looking to add size.

The BayHawks have been lacking size since 7-footer Chris Daniels left to play overseas in South Korea last month

When Erie got Ford out of the D-League player pool, coach Jay Larranaga had every intention of trading him because several D-League teams including Canton were interested in him.

Now they’ll play Thursday night at Fort Wayne with him. Ford, who has played overseas most of his pro career after playing at Clemson, was with the Phoenix Suns in 2005-06.

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The Erie BayHawks have a temporary replacement for 7-footer Chris Daniels.

Earlier today, the D-League announced the New York Knicks have sent down 7-footer Jerome Jordan to play for the BayHawks. Jordan, who is in his rookie season with the Knicks after being taken in the second round (44th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Knicks got Jordan in a trade with the Bucks for cash considerations. Out of Tulsa, Jordan is averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in six games with the Knicks. He’s expected to practice with the BayHawks on Wednesday before they play at Maine on Friday and Sunday.

As a senior in college, Jordan averaged 15.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.34 blocks in 35 games. Now if he can get close to those numbers in the D-League, that would be around Daniels provided the BayHawks.

Daniels averaged 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.14 blocks in 14 games for Erie before leaving the team Monday to go play in South Korea.

Here’s a look at who the Erie BayHawks chose in Thursday night’s 2011 D-League Draft. Training camp begins Nov. 10 in Erie.

1st round: (7th overall) SG Cory Higgins (6-5, 190, Colorado). Avg. 16.1 points his senior season at Colorado in 2010-11. He’s the son of former NBA player and the president of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats, Rod Higgins.

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Kyle Spain averaged 8.1 points for Erie in 44 games last season./Photo by Jack Hanrahan/Erie Times-News

Shooters. Rebounders.

That’s how Erie BayHawks general manager of basketball operations, Allan Houston, summarized what Erie will look for in the 2011 D-League Draft, which starts Thursday at 7 p.m.

The BayHawks have the seventh and ninth pick in the first round and have two more picks in the second round. Before figuring out what they need, you got know what they got coming back.

Returning players:

PG – Blake Ahearn (27 years old, 6-2, 190, Missouri State) – Shooter. Scorer (Avg. 16.9 points in 31 games for  Erie last season, 96.2 FT%). Not a great defender, but is scrappy.

PF – Kyle Goldcamp (25 years old, 6-10, 230, Gannon) – Tough. Plays hard. Has a lefty hook, but gets garbage points. Aggressive.

SF – Kyle Spain (6-5, 210, San Diego State) – Plays on the perimeter. Has unlimited range on the jump shot. Struggles defending on perimeter.

SF Chaz McCrommon (6-6, 200, Robert Morris) – Joined Erie late last season. Only played one game for the BayHawks. Considered a solid defender and capable scorer.

Here are the free-agent invites:

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