The Knicks could be involved in separate deals related to Anthony Randolph and O.J. Mayo.
The Daily News reported that the Knicks have fielded calls from “several Western Conference clubs” regarding the 6-foot-11 Randolph, now out of Mike D’Antoni’s rotation.
The Houston Rockets, according to the report, would trade back the 2011 first-round pick the Knicks surrendered in the Tracy McGrady deal in exchange for Randolph.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh has repeatedly said he regretted trading away his 2011 pick, which the Knicks now need in a potential Carmelo Anthony trade. Anthony and the Nuggets come to MSG Sunday to face the Knicks (15-9).
Randolph told the Daily News that he was aware of a “couple of teams” reaching out to the Knicks.
“I believe in myself,” Randolph told the paper. “I’ve got faith in what I can do. Coaches dictate the minutes, so it’s nothing I can control. Only thing I can control is how hard I work.”
In a separate matter, Memphis Grizzles guard O.J. Mayo could be on the move soon, and a source close to his family thinks he could end up with the Knicks.
“They’re gonna move him next week and I think he’s gonna end up in New York,” the source said.
D’Antoni appears to have lost faith in shooting guards Andy Rautins and Kelenna Azubuike. Rautins is completely out of the mix and D’Antoni has said he doesn’t think Azubuike has recovered sufficiently from his knee surgery to contribute.
Still, a second source close to the Knicks said he thought the Mayo acquisition was unlikely.
“I don’t think we’re gonna get him,” the second source said. “We’re playing so good, you really don’t want to mess with it. You don’t want to tinker with it too much.”
After Friday’s victory at Washington, the Knicks have won seven straight. Amar’e Stoudemire has notched 30+ in seven straight games, tying Willie Naulls’ franchise record set in the early 1960s.
Mayo recently lost his starting shooting guard spot to Xavier Henry, a rookie out of Kansas.
After averaging 18.5 points as a rookie in 2008-09 and 17.5 last season, Mayo is now averaging 12.0 this season. As a bench player in the last 10 games, he’s averaging 8.6 points.
Mayo played 24 minutes and scored six points in the team’s win Wednesday over Phoenix.
Mayo is making $4.5 million this season and is under contract through the 2011-12 season.
(Photos courtesy Daily News, NBA.com)
