All the parties involved were left satisfied by the Knicks’ trade of Nate Robinson to the Celtics yesterday — especially Robinson.
The Knicks shipped Robinson to Boston, along with reserve Marcus Landry, in a deal that brings shooting guard Eddie House, along with throw-in guards J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, to the Knicks.
“Everyone got what they wanted in the end,” Robinson’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, said.
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According to Goodwin, his client wanted to head to the Celtics. And as everyone knows, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, who benched the athletic but exasperating Robinson for 14 straight games this year, wasn’t a fan of the three-time Slam-Dunk champion.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh, however, said the relationship between the coach and Robinson didn’t prompt the trade.
“I know you guys won’t believe that,” Walsh said, “but it didn’t.”
Goodwin, who said Robinson is “very happy,” did not take any shots at D’Antoni for how he handled his client.
“I cannot speak for Nate, nor can I fault Mike,” Goodwin said. “He is doing what is best for him to be able to succeed in his mind.”
House presumably will take over Robinson’s role with the Knicks, though likely with more focus on long-range shooting and scoring off the bench, and less emphasis on ball-handling.
The 31-year-old House, who is averaging 7.2 points this season and is shooting 38 percent from 3-point range, played for D’Antoni in Phoenix during the 2005-06 season. Walsh called House “a good replacement” because of his shooting and energy.
“He’s played for Mike, so he understands it, and in a lot of ways, he’s somewhat like Nate,” Walsh said.
House was excited at the chance to reunite with D’Antoni.
“That helps a lot, going with a coaching staff that I know,” he told the Boston Herald. “I know the system. I know the plays that they’re going to run. I know the style that they play, and I fit right in, and I’m feeling good right now about the way I’m playing.
“So I think it’s going to be a good thing. I’ve got to take it like that. Otherwise it’d be miserable.”
In a statement, Celtics president Danny Ainge called House “one of my favorite players to watch,” but also gushed about Robinson.
“We have been seeking a second ball handler capable of penetrating the defense and we believe that he provides that,” Ainge said of Robinson. “We love Nate’s ability to pressure the ball defensively and we think he can add to our defense as well as our offense.”
Robinson, who will receive a $1 million bonus when the Celtics make the playoffs, thanked his fans yesterday on Twitter.
“This is a sad day for me as well,” he tweeted, “but I have tears of joy.”