<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Isiah Thomas has the opportunity to divert attention from himself and the Knicks' record, at least for a few days. With three weeks left before the trading deadline, Thomas figures to be looking to make a move. Toronto's Jalen Rose has been talked about and may still be traded, even though the Raptors fired GM Rob Babcock last week. The Knicks had proposed sending Penny Hardaway and his expiring contract to the Raptors for Rose and a first-round pick, but Babcock would not budge. Hardaway and Antonio Davis are prime candidates to be traded because they are in the final years of their contracts. "This is a pretty good time from now until the All-Star break to assess where we are going," Larry Brown said. "I feel good about the pieces here. We have a chance to get better."</div> New York Daily News You have to wonder what Isiah will do. My guess is he'll go after Darius Miles and Ratliff, but who knows what's going on in his head.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sources say the Blazers would do Ratliff for Lee and Penny or Davis. Or they'd do Ratliff and Ruben for Penny or Davis so they can get under the salary cap and have room to re-sign Joel Przybilla. Brown also craves Theo Ratliff. He needs a deterrent to clog the middle, someone to prosecute trespassers who get around Marbury, Jamal Crawford and Robinson. He needs his defense, blocked shots and leadership. If Camp Cablevision is willing to absorb paying an excessive luxury tax for two more years after this one, I say, by all means, give Brown what he wants. The investment already is outlandish so why not try to get into the playoffs while you're at it?</div> New York Post Trade Lee? Hell no, especially not for Theo Ratliff! The Blazers must include Darius Miles into the deal, too. Antonio Davis and Lee for Ruben Patterson and Theo Ratliff? Who do they think they're fooling ... oh yeah, Isiah Thomas. Never mind. Lee better not be going anywhere.
