NEW YORK -- So many rumors, so little time to the trading deadline. With the trading deadline Thursday at 6 p.m., we're hearing: That John Starks will be heading from Chicago to Miami, where Pat Riley hopes his ex-Knick can spark the anemic Heat backcourt. With the Heat playing only .500 ball since a 15-4 start, Riley has to shake things up. All Jerry Krause wants is a draft pick (or maybe Tim James). Isaiah Rider is likely on his way out of Atlanta for any deal. The Bulls are just trying to get lower and lower under the salary cap, so they want to cut Starks' $4 million from their books and use it toward a free agent this summer. That the Timberwolves rejected the Knicks' latest efforts for Terrell Brandon. When Minnesota said that it would take Latrell Sprewell to get the deal done, the Knicks backed way off. Even though GM Scott Layden keeps looking for a top point guard, don't look for the Knicks to make any moves, unless they try to deal off excess big men (read: Andrew Lang, who suddenly has been getting playing time). That the Hawks are not dealing Dikembe Mutombo, but are intent on making moves with the idea of again rebuilding around their center. As for Isaiah Rider, they're seriously considering suspending him for a few games for repeated violations of team rules. But they have no plans to waive him. That in the wake of Andre Miller's emergence, the Cavs are actively shopping Brevin Knight. The Mavs are interested, with the Celtics and Raptors still looking for point-guard help. That Maurice Taylor will be headed out of Clipper-land, with Orlando and Detroit mentioned as possible destinations in sign-and-trade scenarios. That Charlotte has decided to stand pat, even after Toronto offered Doug Christie for David Wesley. Paul Silas is definitely gambling that his team's chemistry won't blow up. That Shawn Kemp's $100 million contract, back-loaded with $73 million left and a definite luxury-tax killer, will probably force the Cavs to keep him. That Danny Fortson, the most shopped player in the past few days, could be going to the Lakers or Sonics. Like the rest of the league, the Knicks were approached but had no interest. That Glen Rice is still out there, if Miami wants to send the Lakers P.J. Brown. Rim Shots I
