Knicks deal fizzling out? Hill may be dealbreaker

Source: Walsh Doesn't Intend To Deal Hill

A proposed trade between the Knicks and Rockets is losing steam, according to a person familiar with the talks.

"It's less likely than it was on Monday," said the source. "But you never know."

The Knicks are trying to clear as much cap space as possible for 2010.

"The plan was to get as many as we can," Mike D'Antoni said before last night's game against Chicago. "We want to be under the cap as far as we can go to get as much flexibility as we can get. I don't really know what that goes into, but that's the plan and that's what we're going to do. Whether we're there now and that's as good as we can do, then we're there now. Whether we can open up more room, we'll look at it. Nothing's off the table."

Multiple sources claim that Walsh has no intention of trading Jordan Hill.

"Donnie is not giving up on Jordan," said one Knicks source. "He told me he's not trading him."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b.../17/2010-02-17_mcgrady_deal_losing_steam.html

 

New York in lead for T-Mac
10:11AM

We told you yesterday that it was looking like either New York or Chicago would land Houston's Tracy McGrady. As of this morning, that hasn't changed.

Late last night, ESPN's Marc Stein reported the Rockets "are leaning toward taking the Knicks' offer."

However, there's still an unresolved issue in the negotiations.

For the price of taking on Jared Jeffries contract, the Rockets are asking for a future first-round pick. But as ESPN's Chris Sheridan writes: "A decade of sacrificing first-round draft picks has left [James Dolan] hesitant to sign off on letting another one go."

"The Rockets are believed to be seeking the Knicks' 2012 first-round pick, along with the option to swap first-round picks in 2011, and there are unresolved issues regarding lottery protection on the draft picks."

So while the Knicks -- who's offer along with Jeffries contains Jordan Hill and Larry Hughes -- may be in the lead, until the draft-pick issue is resolved, nothing will likely get done just yet.

As for the Bulls, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported their offer to the Rockets includes Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas and either Kirk Hinrich or John Salmons. But sources tell him the Rockets have shown "little interest" in taking on Hinrich or Salmons, so there has been talk of a third team becoming involved.

So, for now, both teams have snags in their offers. But Stein reported word from one source that said he expects a decision to be made today.

Chris Sheridan
If Knicks trade Jeffries, cap space is there for two free agents
"The Rockets are believed to be seeking the Knicks' 2012 first-round pick, along with the option to swap first-round picks in 2011, and there are unresolved issues regarding lottery protection on the draft picks. But the bottom line for New York is that trading Jeffries opens up nearly $7 million in additional cap space for this summer, giving the Knicks the flexibility to not only make a max offer to LeBron James but also choose between retaining All-Star David Lee or trying to use Lee in a sign-and-trade for Chris Bosh."

 

ChrisMannixSI: T-Mac decision still rests in the hands of Knicks management. If they can't come to an agreement on draft comp, Rox will turn back to Bulls.