Thunder vs. Knicks
New York, NY – A series of salary-shedding trades have the New York Knicks in position to court two star players this summer, while auditioning another for the next two months.
The Oklahoma City Thunder sure are glad one New York can’t get is Kevin Durant.
The new-look Knicks will likely get their first look at Tracy McGrady on Saturday night when they face Durant and the red-hot Thunder at Madison Square Garden.
New York (19-34) has long been reported to be preparing for a free-agent spending spree this summer with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh expected to headline the list.
Oddsmakers from Online Sportsbook SBG Global have made the Thunder -6 for Saturday’s game against the Knicks. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 61% of more the 240 bets for this game have been placed on the Thunder -6.
The Knicks made it abundantly clear that’s the plan heading into Thursday’s trade deadline, making three deals that would leave them with about $32 million in salary cap space in July. Players such as James, Wade and Bosh would each make a little more than $16.5 million in the first season of a new contract.
"I think that’s probably what everything the last few years has been about, getting cap room and setting ourselves up for the summer and trying to create a better atmosphere," coach Mike D’Antoni said. "There’s a lot of things that we want to do, but a major component is creating as much cap space as we can."
Proving how much they’re gearing toward a big splash in free agency, the Knicks got McGrady solely because his bloated contract expires at the end of the season.
McGrady, meanwhile, will attempt to prove he’s still capable of being a star after joining New York in a three-team, nine-player deadline trade with Houston and Sacramento. New York also sent fan-favorite Nate Robinson to Boston in a five-player deal, a day after trading Darko Milicic and cash to Minnesota for Brian Cardinal, who is expected to be released.
McGrady, a two-time scoring champion, played only six games with the Rockets this season while recovering from microfracture knee surgery.
"I can’t wait to get back on the court to continue doing what I love to do," the 30-year-old McGrady said in a statement on his Web site. "I am excited to be headed to New York and look forward to wearing a Knick uniform. I know that I can and will contribute to this organization. It’s a dream to play in New York and there is nothing that compares to playing in the Garden."
The seven-time All-Star will likely get his first chance to impress the Knicks on Saturday, while also attempting to help them avoid their longest losing streak since a season-high six-game slide from Nov. 4-13.
Their current skid reached five Wednesday with a 115-109 loss to Chicago, getting swept in the home-and-home set by a team they’re expected to compete with in free agency.
While the Knicks are struggling to remain competitive, Durant has the Thunder (31-21) in the thick of the playoff race. They’ve won seven in a row for their longest streak since a nine-game run from Nov. 5-19, 2004, when the franchise was the Seattle SuperSonics.
Durant had 25 points and 14 rebounds Tuesday to help Oklahoma City beat Southwest Division-leading Dallas 99-86.
"We’re on a nice streak right now, but they’re a humble group," coach Scott Brooks said.
Durant has averaged 32.1 points and 8.9 boards during the win streak, and he’s scored at least 25 in 26 consecutive games. That streak includes a 30-point effort in a 106-88 home win over the Knicks on Jan. 11 – the Thunder’s fifth victory in the last six meetings.
Posted: 2/19/10 8:22PM ET