The Knicks are still looking for help in the backcourt, and Charlotte's Raymond Felton, Portland's Sergio Rodriguez, and Denver's Chucky Atkins are reportedly options.

Felton, who makes $4.1 million and will be a restricted free agent this summer, has been shopped by the Bobcats.

New York likes Rodriguez, but the Blazers are going to want something significant in return.

The Nuggets have Atkins buried on the bench, but he is more of a shooter than he is a playmaker.

New Orleans' center Tyson Chandler ignores all trade rumors, having learned throughout his career that you can't focus on that kind of attention.

"Honestly, at this point in my career, I don't pay attention to it," Chandler said. "I've only been involved in trade rumors once during my final year in Chicago. Once you start focusing on that stuff, you lose track on what you are trying to do. I don't even read newspapers or watch the sports channels."

Sports Illustrated listed Chandler for the Pistons' Rasheed Wallace as a possible trade.

Indiana point guard T.J. Ford is expected to miss his third straight game on Tuesday night when the team faces off against Atlanta.

He missed practice on Monday because of a sore lower back.

"We're just trying to figure out what I can tolerate," said Ford. "You know going into the season and throughout the season you're not going to be 100 percent. You want to get to a level you know you're still capable of producing. . . . We'll continue to do a lot of treatment so I can get back on the court."

The Oklahoma City have waived center Steven Hill. Hill appeared in one game for the Thunder scoring two points and grabbing thee rebounds in two minutes.

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team's acquisition of center Nenad Krstic has been finalized.

The Thunder originally signed Krstic to an offer sheet on Dec. 22nd.

The transaction was finalized today when the New Jersey Nets declined to match the Thunder offer.

?We are pleased to be able to add Nenad to our organization,? said Presti. ?He is someone that we feel helps this team both in the short and long term. We are excited that he will be a part of the Thunder as we continue to build our team here in Oklahoma City.?

Krstic (7-0, 213), the 24th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Nets, played four seasons in New Jersey appearing in 226 games. During that time he averaged 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 27 minutes per contest.

The Serbian national had his best year in 2005-06 when he started 80 games for the Nets as a second year player. He averaged 13.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Krstic had his 2006-07 season cut short by a torn ACL in his left knee. Prior to the injury he was averaging 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.

At the same time the team announced that it has waived center Steven Hill. Hill appeared in one game for the Thunder scoring two points and grabbing thee rebounds in two minutes.

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team?s acquisition of center Nenad Krstic has been finalized.

The Thunder originally signed Krstic to an offer sheet on Dec. 22nd. The transaction was finalized today when the New Jersey Nets declined to match the Thunder offer.

?We are pleased to be able to add Nenad to our organization,? said Presti. ?He is someone that we feel helps this team both in the short and long term. We are excited that he will be a part of the Thunder as we continue to build our team here in Oklahoma City.?

Otis Smith says Orlando doesn't have interest in acquiring Joe Smith of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Did those rumors say what we are giving up for him? What am I going to do with another big? Am I just collecting them?" Smith said.

With speculation that Baron Davis wants to return to Golden State escalating, Corey Maggette was asked if he would like to go back to the Clippers.

"Who me? No. I love it here, man," Maggette said. "It's been a big change for me. Fans here are absolutely great. That's the biggest thing coming from Los Angeles. They have a mixture of Lakers and Clippers fans. Here, it's the Bay Area team. They love their Warriors. That's what's great about them."

Phoenix guard Steve Nash doesn't expect the back spasms that limited him against Oklahoma City to be a long-term issue.

Nash played just nine minutes in Monday night's victory.

"The negative is that I didn't get to contribute, but the positive is I didn't have one incident that jarred it, and it was a huge reaction that could keep me out for an extended period of time," Nash said after the game.

"We'll see how I feel (Tuesday). I'm very questionable for (Tuesday), but I think it's something that definitely won't keep me out after the new year."

The Suns battle the Grizzlies on Tuesday night.

Kevin Garnett has been playing more minutes than usual lately, so Celtics' coach Doc Rivers is trying to make an effort to give his star some time off.

"He was at 34 or 35 or 33 on a lot of nights," said Rivers. "Then that way, once in a while you could extend it. That would be a great number."

Garnett is content with whatever Rivers wants to do.

"Whatever Doc says, I'm with. I wish I was perfect. But I feel really, really good. I haven't always had the chance to say that this year," Garnett said of his workload.