The NBA trading deadline is only next Thursday, and Knicks guard Latrell Sprewell is hoping it will be a quiet one.  His New York Knicks have been involved heavily in trade speculation, himself included in some scenarios, with most centering around Nuggets duo Raef LaFrentz and Nick Van Exel.

While he is hoping that there would be no trade involving the Knicks, Sprewell is intrigued with the prospect of teaming with Van Exel.

"If you get somebody who's really going to help, you want that," Sprewell added. "The guys that are here have been better than I thought, especially at the start of the season when I was saying we really need something big."

A league official, however, said the Knicks are not as high on Van Exel as they are on LaFrentz, and he not being included may be enough to void any deal.

The Timberwolves and Blazers have also showed strong interest in the point guard over the past few days, turning a stone cold situation into a red hot possibility.  The Knicks have also been showing interest in one of the Warriors trio Danny Fortson, Erick Dampier or Marc Jackson to bolster their front line.

Back in Denver Van Exel was in for a suprise of his own, his home crowd at the Pepsi Center giving him the 'Kobe treatment', boo'ing him every opportunity they got.  All Van Exel could do after the game was stand on the court with his hands raised, motioning to the crowd to bring it on.  Is this the final nail in the Van Exel-Denver coffin?

"He's here, and he's part of our team," GM Kiki Vandeweghe said. "Let's not forget that he's a great player, and these fans have cheered for him for a long time.

Interim coach Mike Evans does not believe this action is impacting the way the rest of his team performs, stating that Van Exel is still providing a full effort on the court, which in his mind is all that counts.