The Knicks will formally announce today they have traded Nate Robinson to the Celtics for Eddie House and J.R. Giddens and possibly either a first- or second-round draft pick.
A source from the Robinson camp told The Post on Wednesday afternoon a deal to the Celtics was “close” but complicated.
“I was talking with my agent and there’s a strong possibility that I’ll be traded [Thursday] to New York,” House said, according to ESPN.com.
“At the end of the day, you can’t control it. It’s out of my hands — it’s never been in my hands. Wherever I go, if I go to New York, I’ll play two months, try to play real strong basketball, get some wins with those guys, and make a good account for me for free agency.”
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The Knicks are moving Robinson partly as a favor to their most popular player, whom they don’t plan to re-sign, and were ready to limit his minutes for rookie Toney Douglas.
Robinson’s camp nudged this along, no longer wanting Robinson to play for Mike D’Antoni, either. His representatives, the Goodwins, asked for a trade in December when Robinson was banished for 14 straight games and saw the writing on the wall that another banishment was imminent.
“We’re going to be fair to people, too,” D’Antoni said. “We want to play young guys and stuff. But we wouldn’t be opposed to helping people out who are here on one-year deals.”
Sources say Robinson is tired of D’Antoni’s eye rolls and waving of the arms whenever Robinson makes a mistake. D’Antoni does not act like that when Chris Duhon messes up.
Robinson and D’Antoni had their final dustup on the bench vs. Sacramento before the All-Star break with Robinson dropping the F-Bomb, The Post reported.
When the Knicks signed Anthony Roberson before last season, they had visions of a player like House. D’Antoni feels he’s the perfect gunner for his offense and better passer than Robinson.