Knicks president Donnie Walsh said he is not ready to cave in to a Nate Robinson trade demand before talking again today with Robinson’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, in one last attempt to change his mind. Robinson said he is still hoping things can be resolved, so that he can stay with the Knicks and put an end to “Nate-Gate.”
Robinson said he is optimistic about the results of a conversation between Walsh and Goodwin. Robinson did not play for the ninth straight game in last night’s 98-94 victory over the Bobcats. The Knicks are 6-3 since Robinson was banished.
Goodwin made his trade demand to Walsh Saturday night. Last night, Goodwin told The Post “nothing’s changed” and the trade demand is intact. Goodwin, who is in California, said he looks forward to speaking with Walsh by phone.
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“Let them evaluate everything and see where it goes from there,” Robinson said. “I want to be a Knick. I want to stay here. This is where I want to be. I want to play. I want to help the team win. I think I can do that. I bring energy. I do all the little things. I just feel like I haven’t gotten that privilege to play like I want.”
Robinson seemed to try to distance himself from his agent’s demand.
“Aaron is his own man,” Robinson said. “What I think is what I think. My agent is doing his job for what’s best for me as Nate Robinson.”
Goodwin said Saturday that coach Mike D’Antoni has a personal vendetta against Robinson. Walsh said that is inaccurate and he will explain to Goodwin that D’Antoni still has Robinson in his plans.
In a circus-like atmosphere, Walsh called a press conference before the game.
“We need to sit down and talk about this because I don’t think Mike is personal with anybody,” Walsh said. “Mike said he is going with a different rotation and Nate wasn’t in it. Larry Hughes was in that position at the beginning of the season and he got back in the lineup.
“I want to talk on the phone with Aaron Goodwin and bring these things up because I don’t know if Nate wants to leave or not,” Walsh added.
Walsh said there’s “pressure” on the agent because Robinson is in the last year of his contract. Asked if he would trade him, Walsh said, “I don’t want Nate to feel he has no shot here. But we want him to play within this system. It’s the first time a coach has done that [to him]. If that’s the direction they want to go, I’ve never stopped anyone.”
According to Players Association attorney Ron Klempner, Robinson can’t be traded until Dec. 25, 90 days after he signed his free-agent contract.
The Knicks’ trade options are limited, Walsh admitted, because he would only trade for an expiring contract in a 1-for-1 deal in order to protect 2010 salary cap space. Walsh and Goodwin have not discussed the possibility of a buyout, but that might be the most likely scenario. Robinson is set to make $4 million this season, not including a $1 million playoff bonus.
“If you want to say I’m trying to talk him out of it, I want get a clearer idea on why he wants to leave,” Walsh said. “He misses some games, but the team is playing well where you’re not going to change the lineup. But if you go back to where Mike says he’d go back to Nate, that’s what I want to talk to him about. They may believe that or won’t.”
The Magic, Kings and Lakers expressed interest in Robinson over the summer as a free agent. LeBron James is on record raving about Robinson. Walsh said he never heard from any teams over the summer.
D’Antoni said Robinson will still dress, adding, “His agent’s not dressing, that’s for sure.”
D’Antoni did not seem bothered by the developments.
“[The agent’s] looking out for Nate and he should,” D’Antoni said. “It’s obviously not personal.”