McGrady Requesting for a Trade

The Rockets and McGrady came to a "mutual agreement" Monday to seek to trade McGrady, a person with the Rockets with knowledge of talks between McGrady’s representatives and general manager Daryl Morey said. - Houston Chronicle

The Rockets would likely be willing to take back a longer contract if it also got them a player they wanted, but could not make that sort of trade happen when McGrady salary was covered by insurance  -  Houston Chronicle

There are no imminent trades, but rival teams say the Rockets are willing to take back long-term money for the right trade with McGrady. Sources say they’ve shown an interest in Sacramento Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin, but the Kings want to see him play with rookie Tyreke Evans once Martin returns from a broken wrist in January.  -  Yahoo! Sports

The possibility of a contract buyout isn’t expected to be addressed now with McGrady’s agent, because there’s just no motivation for Houston to give him one until the trade deadline passes in February. Unless, of course, T-Mac is willing to give back several million dollars to become a free agent now.  - Yahoo! Sports

Chandler (stress reaction in his left foot) was on crutches at shootaround this morning, and figures to miss at least the rest of this week's games. But coach Larry Brown said he didn't anticipate bringing Ajinca back from D-League assignment with the Maine Red Claws, in reaction to Chandler's injury.  - Charlotte Observer Blog

Despite Tyrus Thomas' big performance in his return (21 points and 9 rebounds), Del Negro said the starting lineup will be the same Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers with Taj Gibson starting at power forward and Thomas coming off the bench. ''Let's just stay with it the way it is,'' the coach said. ''Let's not rush into it. We got a win; let's just focus on that. The starting lineup is what it is for now and we'll stay with that.   -  Chicago Sun-Times

One day after saying the Knicks should release him after the season if they don't play him, the divide between Eddy Curry and Mike D'Antoni is growing. Curry expressed frustration yesterday with the lack of communication from the Knicks coach, who still hasn't talked to Curry since yanking him from the rotation. Curry told The Post on Friday he was debriefed on his non-playing status by Knicks president Donnie Walsh, but hadn't heard a word from D'Antoni.  -  NY Post

Curry does not sound convinced that D'Antoni thinks he's a good fit because he is a low-post player. "I feel like I do [fit in]," Curry said. "[But] it's not my team. I'll keep approaching it as if it is the right fit for me as long as I'm here. They have the power to change it. Until they decide I'm not the right fit by moving me, I'm assuming I'm the right fit."  - NY Post

Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said an ESPN.com report that a decision to fire him already has been made is "totally not accurate." Citing sources with knowledge of the Bulls' thinking, Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine reported on Sunday night that a decision has been made and the Bulls are just waiting to find Del Negro's replacement.  -  ESPN

The Rockets and Tracy McGrady's agent, Bob Myers, will have discussions at the conclusion of the team's current road trip to decide the next step for the disgruntled former All-Star. According to an NBA front office source familiar with the situation, the only logical step now is for McGrady to formally request a trade.  -  CBS Sports

"To be honest with you, I think our focus is a little bit better on the road than it is at home,” said Kevin Durant when asked how the team’s mindset has changed from last season. "I know that’s kind of difficult to say. . . We’re trying to find our balance between playing better at home and also playing on the road.”  -  NewsOK

The NBA is considering fining Nate Robinson for his agent asking the Knicks to trade the veteran guard. A Knicks source told the Daily News that the league has investigated comments made by Aaron Goodwin in which he criticized Mike D'Antoni for benching Robinson. "I can't allow Nate to rot on Mike's bench and not do anything about it. I can't allow this to happen to his career," Goodwin said Dec. 19. "It's clear that Mike D'Antoni doesn't want to play him."  -  NY Daily News

The Lakers forward, who missed Saturday night's game at Sacramento after sustaining a concussion, visited a neurologist Sunday and was told his condition was improving. But he was not cleared to play, will be revaluated again today and, if cleared, will fly to Phoenix and play tonight against the Suns.  -  LA Times

Yes, that Ricky Davis, whose latest stop in his career has brought him to the end of the Clippers' bench. He's the guy Baron Davis credits with inspiring him to lead the Clippers to their best victory of the year, a 92-90 buzzer-beater over the Celtics that Baron delivered with a hi-arching jumper over Rajon Rondo. "What he said to me before the game really stuck with me," Baron said. "He just told me to be aggressive, don't worry about nobody else out there, just worry about what you've got to do, and I guarantee you that we're going to stay close. You just be aggressive, you just worry about taking care of BD, don't get frustrated and play your game."  -  ESPN

With an expiring contract that has a salary-cap number of $9.15 million, the Los Angeles Clippers' big man might be the most coveted player who could be available as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches. While some teams would take anyone with such an expiring contract that has vital signs, Camby also can play.  -  FanHouse