BOSTON – Isiah Thomas said he’s been very busy on the phone with the trade deadline one week away – but he wasn’t busy enough to be seriously in the mix to land Jason Kidd.
Two weeks ago, the Knick president said he would attempt to bring Kidd to Broadway. And last night Kidd was headed to Dallas before a last-minute holdup, when Devean George exercised his right to block the trade.
When asked about his pursuit of Kidd in light of the Dallas trade on hold, Thomas said, “We can discuss the deal if there’s a deal that’s done and I’ll have a comment on it.”
At the morning shoot-around, Thomas said he and executive VP Glen Grunwald have burned up the phone lines – clearly willing to trade anyone as long as it doesn’t add significant payroll. Center Eddy Curry continues to fall out of favor, playing just 10 minutes last night because of Boston’s small lineup.
Ron Artest is a target, as he has been since summer. The Knicks, according to ESPN, were willing to give up Curry as long as the Kings would also take on Jerome James’ contract.
“This time of year, [you’re] always on the phone, talking, doing your due diligence,” Thomas said. “A lot of talk. At this time, you can have nothing going on and you go upstairs and something is going on. But as of right now we have nothing going on.”
Thomas would have traded the kitchen sink for Kidd, but it’s unlikely the Nets would ever trade Kidd to the Knicks, no matter the offer. The Knicks have made virtually everyone available. The likeliest to go is Malik Rose, who appears to be on showcase the past two games.
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Thomas said he won’t be able to pull himself away from the game during the All-Star Break that begins today.
“Normally, the break is spent wherever you are, you’re always thinking about the team, how you’re going to improve the team,” Thomas said.
“What play you’re going to run, who has a good play you like to try to incorporate with what you’re doing. Wherever you are, you’re always thinking of basketball. There’s no such thing as a break.”