New York ? Stephon Marbury is returning to his hometown to play for the team he grew up watching.

In a blockbuster eight-player trade between New York and the Phoenix Suns, Marbury, Penny Hardaway and Cezary Trybanski were dealt Monday to the Knicks for Antonio McDyess, Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Maciej Lampe, the rights to Milos Vujanic and two first-round draft picks.

“Our goal is to win an NBA championship, and our goal is to put together a team that can do that,” Knicks president Isiah Thomas said after making his first major move in his new job.

The trade is the fourth of Marbury’s career. The Brooklyn native was drafted by Milwaukee and immediately dealt to Minnesota, where he subsequently forced a trade to New Jersey. The Nets sent him to Phoenix for Jason Kidd.

“I think we got the best deal,” Knicks center Dikembe Mutombo said. “He’s among the best point guards in the league, he’s an All-Star player.”