Seven NBA teams have submitted various trade proposals for T-Mac

[Dash]

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Knicks left Houston on Saturday night without a victory and without genuine hope of winning the Tracy McGrady Sweepstakes.

 

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told The Post that Donnie Walsh appears a longshot to nail McGrady, with seven teams having submitted various proposals.

 

"There might not be a fit with New York because their goals don't necessarily meet our goals," Morey said. "I think they like him but there's an issue of fit."

 

The Knicks, who face Oklahoma City tonight at Ford Center after blowing a 13-point lead in Houston, are hesitant about giving up a young player in the deal. Youth is what the Rockets are seeking, according to someone who has spoken to Morey.

 

According to the source, Morey is eager to get either rookie, Jordan Hill or Toney Douglas, in a T-Mac deal. Neither Hill and Douglas is in the rotation and may not get in this season. Hill and Douglas are behind undrafted rookie Marcus Landry.

 

Still, the Knicks are pushing Jared Jeffries in a package in their attempt to also clear more 2010 cap space. Morey, too, is trying to clear cap room and has told the Knicks he's not interested in Jeffries. In fact, according to the source, the Rockets don't think Al Harrington would crack Houston's rotation.

 

Morey said he believes a deal for McGrady's $23 million expiring contract will occur, but not until the Feb. 19 trading deadline. McGrady is in Chicago training.

 

"I think there's a deal to be done, probably at the deadline," Morey said. "Teams don't generally move early, especially on one this big. I think there's enough interest from enough teams who either like McGrady or are looking to save money."

 

The Knicks would want McGrady for a playoff push and also to see if he's worth re-signing despite coming off the same microfracture knee surgery that ended Allan Houston's career. However, their interest in T-Mac decreases as their core group continues to jell.

 

Good stuff, just shows there is some sort of market out there for Tracy.