Week 18 (Feb. 22-28)

Teams playing five games: Milwaukee

Teams playing four games: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Utah, Washington

Teams playing three games: Boston, Charlotte, Cleveland, Denver, Golden State, Houston, Miami, New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Antonio, Toronto

Tracy McGrady (Knicks): T-Mac made his Knicks debut last Saturday with 26 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 three-pointer and 1 steal. He took 17 shots and played 32 minutes.

Eddie House (Knicks)- House set season highs in points (24) and minutes (34) in his Knicks debut. He is a great source for three-pointers and free throw percentage.

Sergio Rodriguez (Knicks)- Rodriguez also made his Knicks debut over the weekend and scored 5 points with 6 assists. He played in 25 minutes and attempted 3 three-pointers. He could be in the starting point guard lineup very soon.

Wes Matthews (Jazz)- Mattews has started the past two games and scored 12 points in 33 minutes yesterday. The Jazz traded Ronnie Brewer which created an open slot in the rotation.

Mario …

“While the 2011 market may not have as many stars, it isn’t lacking in big names, either. Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol, Caron Butler, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, David West and Tayshaun Prince could all be changing zip codes two summers from now.”-ESPN

The Knicks put themselves in position to sign two max players and re-sign David Lee in the off-season. However, if they sign one player like a Lebron, Bosh, Wade, Amare or Joe Johnson they could sign another player in 2011. In a perfect world all Knicks fans would like to see James and Anthony on the Knicks. Donnie Walsh should not feel pressured to sign two players to max deals this summer  if he feels they would not be a good fit. Walsh also needs to spend money wisely on roster slots because they traded their 2012 first-round pick in the Tracy McGrady deal.

How can this work:

1)  Eddy Curry has an expiring contract next season ($11.2 million)

2) Knicks do not have a first round pick in 2012 (no salary against the …

“Tracy McGrady and Sergio Rodriguez to NYK; Kevin Martin/Jared Jeffries/swap of 2011 first with Knicks and 2012 first from Knicks to Houston AND Kings get Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey and Larry Hughes‘ expiring contract . . . all just filed to ESPN.com.”

Sources say Houston gets Kevin Martin, Jared Jeffries and Jordan Hill. Also the right to swap first-round picks with NYK in 2011 and New York’s first-rounder in 2012.”

It was reported that Donnie Walsh did not want to trade Jordan Hill but he was desperate to move Jared Jeffries and his $6.9 million dollar contract for next season. The Knicks have saved $9.4 million in cap savings and can go after two max players in the off-season.

Tracy McGrady has been working with trainer Tim Grover to get back into shape. Grover,  who trained Michael Jordan, says “put him in uniform and get him out there, T-Mac is ready.” McGrady, has an expiring contract and is only 30 years-old. He  should put fans into the seats and his jersey should be a quick seller.

Sergio Rodriguez was …

“The Kings will acquire Tracy McGrady along with with Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey from Houston for Kevin Martin, Kenny Thomas, Hilton Armstrong and Sergio Rodriguez.”

“Multiple sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets and Kings will spend Thursday trying to make this a three-way deal that lands McGrady with the Knicks, who have been McGrady’s preferred destination ever since he and the Rockets mutually agreed in late December to find the 30-year-old a new team via trade.”

The Knicks have been desperately trying to move the contract of Jared Jeffries who is owed $6.9  million next season.  Also, Sergio Rodriguez is another player who can end up with the Knicks.

The trade deadline is today at 3pm EST.

Nate Robinson has been linked to the Boston Celtics for a few weeks now. Robinson signed a one-year contract this past summer with the Knicks. Boston has has three players who have expiring contracts: Eddie House ($2.8 million), Brian Scalabrine ($3.4 million) and Tony Allen ($2.5 million). House played under Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni with the Suns.

Robinson is a “base-year compensation” player which means the Celtics may have to send multiple players and a draft pick to complete the deal. The Knicks may have to deal a future first-round pick for Tracy McGrady so adding a pick would help. Robinson, recently won his third dunk contest over All-Star weekend.

Nate has had an inconsistent year with New York after averaging a career high 17.2 points last season. If he is dealt to Boston he would provide a spark off the bench. However, Robinson has the right to approve or disapprove any trade.

Week 17 (Feb. 15-21)
Teams playing four games: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, Sacramento, Utah
Teams playing three games: Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Denver, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, San Antonio, Toronto, Washington
Teams playing two games: L.A. Lakers

Anthony Morrow (Warriors)- Morrow has returned after missing 12 games due to a knee injury. He has scored 33 and 26 points over his past two games and has played 45 and 48 minutes. He is a great source for threes.

Daequan Cook (Heat)- Cook has 27 points over his last two games including 5 three-pointers. He played 24 and 21 minutes in that span. He is a great source for threes as well.

Chris Richard (Bulls)- Richard was signed to his second 10-day contract due to Joakim Noah being sidelined with an injury. Richard has played in at least 20 minutes in two of his past three games and is averaging one block on the season.

JaVale McGee (Wizards)- McGee could …

“The Knicks and Rockets are getting closer to a deal that would send Tracy McGrady, Joey Dorsey and Brian Cook to New York in exchange for Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill, and either Al Harrington or Larry Hughes.”-Yahoo Sports

Draft picks being swapped have also been rumored. The Knicks do not have a first round pick this year but could deal one in 2011 or 2012. New York needs to move Jeffries because he is owed $6.9 million dollars next season.

T-Mac would see minutes in the rotation because he is playing for another contract. Also the  rotation would get thinner due to the trade. He is turning 31 years-old in May and may have some skills left in the tank.

David Lee had 4 points ,2 rebounds and 1 assist in his All-Star debut as the East won 141-139. He only played 12 minutes and had  3 turnovers. Lee replaced Allen Iverson who missed the game due to personal reasons.

Lee was the first Knicks All-Star since 2001 and played in front of 108,713 fans. Lee said he wanted to score a basket and get a win so at least he accomplished both in his debut. Hopefully, Lee and LeBron James can be All-Stars for the Knicks next season.

Fantasy MVP: LeBron James (Cavs)

James is leading the league in points (29,9) and is  6th in assists (8.3). He also is averaging 1.9 threes, 1.6 steals and

1 block per game. He is shooting 50% from the field and is the second best free throw % of his career 77.6

Runner up: Kevin Durant (Thunder)

Least Valuable player: John Salmons (Bulls)

Salmons was traded to the Bulls last season and was expected to carry some of the load this year with Ben Gordon gone. He averaged 18.3 points and 1.9 threes per game while shooting 47% from the field and 81% from the line in 26 games. This season he is averaging 12.8 points, 1.4 threes and is shooting 41% from the field and 78% from the line.

Runner up: Gilbert Arenas (Wizards)

Biggest Fantasy Surprise: Zach Randolph (Grizzles)

Randolph has not missed a game this season playing in all 51 games. He is one of the main reasons Memphis is 26-25 and three games out of the 8th seed. The most games he has played in a season were 81 back …

David Lee becomes the first Knick to make the All-Star team since 2001.

Lee and Chris Bosh are the only two players in the East who are averaging 20 points and 11+ rebounds per game. He also is shooting 55% from the field, 79% from the line and 3.5 assists per game. Lee has seen his scoring increase due to scoring 20+ in seven of his past eight games.

Other options to replace Allen Iverson could have been Josh Smith and Andrew Bogut.

The Hawks have the second best record in the East and already have two players on the Eastern squad (Joe Johnson and Al Horford). Smith is 5th in the East in blocks (2.1).

Bogut is tied for 2nd in the East in blocks per game and is 7th in rebounds. Along with rookie PG Brandon Jennings, the Australian big man is one of the main reasons the Bucks are one game out of the 8th seed.

David Lee has better numbers than both these players but the …

Week 16 (Feb. 8-14)
Teams playing three games: Orlando
Teams playing two games: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, Utah
Teams playing one game: Boston, Houston, Indiana, Memphis, New York, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Toronto, Washington

Will Bynum (Pistons)- Bynum has returned from an ankle injury and has 29 points and 14 assists over his past three games.

C.J Miles (Jazz)- Miles has at least 10 points in four straight games while receiving more minutes in the rotation.

Marquis Daniels (Celtics)- Daniels returned from a thumb injury and played 13 minutes vs. the Magic yesterday. He is a valuable bench player for the team but his role could increase if Ray Allen gets traded.

Brad Miller (Bulls)- Miller has started the past two games with Joakim Noah sidelined with a foot injury. Miller has 23 points, 13 rebounds, 5 steals and a three-pointer in his two starts.

Honorable mention: Morris Peterson (Hornets)

Week 15 (Feb. 1-7)
Teams playing four games: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Jersey, New Orleans, Portland, Sacramento, Washington
Teams playing three games: Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, Toronto, Utah
Teams playing two games: Minnesota

George Hill (Spurs)- Tony Parker is expected to miss several games due to an ankle injury. Hill has averaged 15.6 points and 3.6 assists over his past five games. He also has played in at least 31 minutes in six of his past seven games.

Nicolas Batum (Blazers)- Batum has played in at least 26 minutes in his past three games. He is coming back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him for most of the season.

Antoine Wright (Raptors)- Wright has 28 points, 11 rebounds and 6 three-pointers over his past two games. He has received more playing time due to injuries in the rotation.

Ryan Hollins (Timberwolves)- Hollins has started the past two games and has 35 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals. …