or for any players who wear other uniforms, other than as fodder for the basketball execution of current New York Knickerbockers.  But given the speculation that is out there about McGrady, theoretically, just what are the Rockets up to?

They don't seem to want McGrady to play.  They're open to trading him, apparently, but, like us, they don't want to take on any 2010 salary.  So they're looking to take back other expiring contracts for McGrady's.  They're currently playing pretty good basketball and they're in contention for a playoff spot.

Conclusion:  They don't want McGrady around, and don't think he can help them win more games or succeed in the playoffs this season.  What do they want in return?  Expiring contracts, but with an advantage over McGrady's expiring contract.  So... what they are looking for is players with expiring contracts that will help them more this season than McGrady would.  Or, they could be looking for expring contracts regardless of the value, and a draft pick or two.

How many teams have enough expiring contracts to match McGrady's mammoth deal?  Not many.  The Rockets will not have many options here.  Sure, the Knicks could give them a bunch of expiring contracts, but why would the Rockets (or the Knicks for that matter) bother? 

Unless the Rockets are desperate to get McGrady out of the locker room, they'll probably hold out for a deal that doesn't add salary, gets them some size up front, and gets them a draft pick or two.

The Knicks are trying to get them to take Jeffries, but I just don't see how, from their perspective, Jeffries helps them enough to take on his salary for 2010-11.  They might do something like that for a really good power forward but for Jeffries?  Unlikely.

I think there's a pretty good chance McGrady, who is only 30, still has some very good basketball in him.  I'm intrigued, but what could the Knicks offer that would give them what they're looking for?  Some combination of expirings including Darko Milicic and Al Harrington, plus one of our second rounders?  Might get it done.  I don't think there's much chance that we can re-sign Harrington, but I'm not sure it's worth it to give up one of those draft picks.

Alternatively, a package involving Jordan Hill might entice them - they'd only have to take on Hill's rookie scale salary for next year.  But why would the Knicks do that, when they don't even know if they want to re-sign McGrady (or if they even can?)  A deal with Hill included would only work if we got their 2010 first round pick.  But would they want Hill over a late-mid first rounder?  It's a crapshoot - they might get a better PF with the pick.

I don't see this deal happening.  I can't find a way for it to make sense to both teams.