Knicks Making Moves

*Scroll down for updated information.

Thursday's 3 P.M. EST NBA trade deadline is approaching, and the Knicks look to be active.

Multiple reports (here, here, and here) have the Knicks nearing a deal with Boston shipping out Nate Robinson, with the Knicks potentially receiving Eddie House and picks. Robinson did not make the trip with Chicago with the team last night due to the "flu".

At about 2 P.M. Wednesday, Robinson ironically tweeted the Eminem lyrics, "N wen I'm gone just carry on don't mourn rejoice every time u hear da sound of my voice(word aapp)"

Energy. That's what Nate Robinson brings to his basketball team. Now when this energy runs out, he returns to being a very pedestrian, mediocre player. That's when his coach needs to realize the opposing team can gain momentum off his bad shots and turnover-prone basketball, and sub him out.

There's no question Nate can be a huge part of a winning team; but the risk of playing him 40+ minutes outweighs the reward. In most cases, Nate's spark burns out after a few possessions, and just as fast as he ignites the team, he takes them right out of the game. Which is why he can't and probably never will be able to be a starting point guard in the league. But, if used in moderation, he can be a game-changing asset on a playoff team.

Nate Robinson on top of his game, being correctly coached, and with a good surrounding cast, puts both his team and himself in a win-win situation. Nate gets his time to energize the team, and when that time runs out, he's relieved with a less explosive, but more consistent point guard-Rajon Rondo fits the bill.

But Donnie Walsh isn't finished.

The Knicks are simultaneously in conversations with the Houston Rockets regarding Tracy McGrady. McGrady has played in just 6 games this season and is receiving the "Marbury treatment" from the Rockets. Newsday's Alan Hahn has said the deal will "go down to the wire". Depending on the players departing on the New York side, the swap could presumably able the Knicks to sign two maximum contracts this upcoming offseason. Jared Jefferies, who is due to make $6.9 million next season, Larry Hughes, rookie Jordan Hill, and multiple draft picks are reportedly involved in the deal.

The main sticking point of this trade seems to be the draft picks involved. The two teams will reportedly swap first round picks in 2011, with Houston receiving the Knicks' first rounder in 2012. The protection of the picks is what is, again reportedly, holding the trade up.

• UPDATE: 6:01 P.M: The Bulls are no longer in the running for McGrady and Houston has turned their full attention to Walsh and the Knicks, according to sources that have spoken with Yahoo! Sports.

• UPDATE: 6:13 P.M: The Knicks have traded Center Darko Milicic, who has played in just eight games this season, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Forward Brian Cardinal and cash. Both contracts are expiring.

• UPDATE: 7:03 P.M: MSG reports that the Knicks will also receive J.R. Giddens, assuming the trade goes official. His contract expires following this season.

• UPDATE: 7:44 P.M: The Knicks are interested in sending Al Harrington to Chicago, with him possibly being re-routed to a third team, ESPN's Chris Sheridan reports. Chicago has told veteran swingman John Salmons to stay home instead of accompanying the Bulls on their trip to New York Wednesday, with a trade imminent. Salmons has a player option worth $5.8 million for next season, meaning an acquisition of him by the Knicks would essentially cancel out (salary-wise) ridding themselves of Jared Jefferies.

• UPDATE: 8:20 P.M. The Milicic-Cardinal deal is now official, and the Knicks will likely waive Cardinal to make room for other moves to happen, Alan Hahn reports.

• UPDATE: 9:15 P.M: John Salmons has been traded from the Bulls to the Bucks for the expiring contracts of Kurt Thomas and Francisco Elson.

• UPDATE: 9:48 P.M: Rockets trying to revive trade talks with the Bulls by recruiting the Kings to be involved in a three-team deal now that John Salmons won't be in the package being sent to Houston, according to Yahoo! Sports.]

• UPDATE: 10:42 P.M: Knicks and Bulls discussing Tyrus Thomas for Al Harrington.

• UPDATE: 12:29 A.M: The New York Times reports all players are set for McGrady trade (Jared Jeffries, Larry Hughes and Jordan Hill to Houston in exchange for McGrady, Brian Cook and Joey Dorsey). Houston wants both incoming draft picks to be unprotected-meaning no matter how the Knicks finish the season (playoffs, lottery, etc) Houston will receive both picks. Donnie Walsh is "hopeful" that some of not all of the Knicks' deals will get done.

• UPDATE: 1:49 A.M: T-Mac to the Knicks is dead, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, saying that the Rockets are now pursuing the player they've coveted the most, Kevin Martin of the Kings.

• UPDATE: 1:58 A.M: Deal with Knicks may not be dead after all, as a three-team deal involving the Kings, Knicks, and Rockets may be brewing, Adrian Wojnarowski reports. My head hurts...

• UPDATE: 2:06 A.M (Story also here): To clear all the confusion: The Rockets and Kings have agreed to a trade sending Tracy McGrady, Carl Laundry and Joey Dorsey from Houston to Sacramento for Kevin Martin, Kenny Thomas, Hilton Armstrong and Sergio Rodriguez. This trade is all but official and has been acknowledged by Kevin Martin, saying ""I appreciate them letting me go to a playoff caliber team at this time of my career." All this according to Yahoo! Sports. The deal, however, may still include New York as Sacramento has not yet decided if they will keep McGrady or ship him to New York.