Wizards guard Mike James told the New York Post on Saturday that he wants to play for the Knicks.

James is hoping that Washington can find a new home for him prior to the Feb. 18 trade deadline and his expiring contract is appealing to New York.

He has appeared in just three games this season, even with Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton suspended for the rest of the year.

"This isn't how I envisioned it," James said. "I want to get out of here. The coach [Flip Sanders] never had me in his plans. I could see [sitting me] if we're winning, but you can't tell me I can't help now."

James played high school basketball at Amityville in New York.

Knicks guard Larry Hughes, a former teammate of Gilbert Arenas, believes that the suspended star will be back with the Wizards.

Arenas has been suspended for the remainder of the season by the NBA in the aftermath of a felony gun charge.

"Honestly I do," Hughes said Saturday. "This is a special place. When you've played here and the city gets behind you, you realize what the fans want, what the city wants. I think he'll come to realize that. I can see it."

There has been speculation that Arenas and the Wizards will agree to a buyout on the remainder of his six-year, $111 million contract or trade him.

"You get in trouble, you're mad at the authority but I think it will blow over," Hughes continued. "I can see him back here. Fans love him here. I haven't been in the city to know what's been said about him. But the time I was here and even when I came back with Cleveland, they love him. Obviously, he'll have to get out and speak about what's going on, but I don't think they'll hold a grudge against him."

Jared Jeffries hyper-extended his right knee during the Knicks' 106-104 loss to Toronto on Thursday.

The injury occurred in the second quarter and though Jeffries played the rest of the first half after suffering the injury, he did not return for the second half.

According to a source, David Lee will not be one of the seven reserves named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team.

There is always a possibility that an injury to one of the 12 players on the team could give Lee another chance.

Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston were the last Knicks to be selected to the team back in 2001.

Lee is currently ranked 8th in RealGM's player rankings, with a FIC per 40 minutes of 18.4.

The New York Daily News reports that the Nets have conceded that they will not be able to sign LeBron James or Dwyane Wade this summer, which is one reason the team is pursuing a trade to land Amar'e Stoudemire.  

The Knicks are not expected to be players for Stoudemire and Donnie Walsh is unsure the Suns' star will be changing addresses before the February trade deadline.

"I could see it happening," Walsh said. "But usually, with a player like that, a trade doesn't happen at midseason. But if [the Suns] are not happy with their team, or they think they're going to lose him this summer, then maybe it could happen."

David Kahn told New York reporters that he still expects his 2009 draft pick Ricky Rubio to play in Minnesota when his NBA career begins.

Kahn also seemed skeptical that the Knicks could make a trade offer for Rubio that would interest the Wolves.

"I mean no disrespect to the Knicks and Donnie [Walsh], but what kind of trade could they propose?" Kahn asked.

On Monday in New York, Kahn had dinner with Walsh, his former boss at the Pacers.

"I have as much affection and respect for him as anybody in this league," Kahn said.

The Knicks could turn to guard Larry Hughes on Monday night against the Timberwolves.

New York may be without Nate Robinson due to a hamstring injury and rookie Toney Douglas looked lost against Dallas on Sunday.

That means Hughes could earn some time backing up starting point guard Chris Duhon.

"I'm prepared to go out and help the team," Hughes said. "I don't have any answers. It's his team. He does what he sees fit to get a win. I'm trying to do all I can do to be ready for the games."

When the Knicks were on a role in December, Hughes backed up Duhon.

"I'm comfortable in that role," he said. "The more I play, the better rhythm I get in, the better it is."

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni wouldn't commit to playing Hughes on Monday.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh plans to meet with the team's scouts this week as he prepares for the Feb. 18 trade deadline.

New York is still trying to recover from Sunday's 50-point loss to Dallas, the worst loss the team has ever been handed at Madison Square Garden.

"[Sunday] was disappointing to the players, the coaches, the front office, the fans, the press," Walsh said. "It was a terrible game. Obviously we have to pick it up if we hope to make the playoffs.

"This is the time to start to really pushing and playing well to have a good year. We can't play like that."

The Knicks have lost six of their last eight games and they sit four games behind the Bulls for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"I will pick their brains, [as] they are out there looking at pro teams," Walsh said of his scouts. "Who do you think can play that we don't know about or don't see a lot? That kind of thing. We have guys who know the teams. But it takes two to tango."

The Knicks are still keeping track of the Ricky Rubio situation, which has stretched from Minnesota to Spain.

Rubio, who was drafted with the sixth overall pick by the Timberwolves last June, is playing in Spain this season.

Knicks international scout Kevin Wilson lives in Barcelona and Regal, Rubio's club, is his hometown team. The New York Post also writes that, "Wilson is friends with the Rubio family and Ricky's parents would love to see the Timberwolves deal him to New York."

New York president Donnie Walsh told the Post that the last time he spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn, he was told that they aren't accepting trade offers for Rubio currently.

"David has told me he wants to bring Ricky over for next season," Walsh said.

The Mavericks defeated the Knicks 128-78 on Sunday afternoon, handing them their worst-ever loss at Madison Square Garden.

The 50-point loss was the second-worst in team history. The Knicks suffered a 62-point loss to the Syracuse Nationals on Dec. 25, 1960.

Dallas had seven players in double figures and stretched their lead to 53 at one point in the fourth quarter.

"They took our heart out of us," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said.