Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that the blockbuster trade that almost happened is haunting the Knicks right now. The Bucks and Knicks came within hours of consummating a major trade that would have sent Glen Robinson and Ervin Johnson to New York in exchange for Latrell Sprewell. Knicks? GM Scot Layden backed out of the deal at the last minute.

When the deal fell through, the Bucks traded Robinson to the Hawks for Toni Kukoc and Leon Smith.

The Knicks have seen Sprewell model some fancy suits while on the bench recovering from a broken hand while the Hawks have witnessed a resurgence in Robinson?s game. The 6-foot-7 small forward followed up his 34-point, 10-rebound, eight-assist Hawk debut with a 30-point, seven-assist, five-rebound gem Friday night over Utah.

The Knicks were forced to sign a poor man?s Robinson in Lee Nailon to help fill the void during Sprewell?s absence.

Sources say that once Sprewell is healthy, the team will shop him around the league, with Dallas and Portland emerging as potential landing spots. The Blazers have no budget constraints, go 11 deep, and Damon Stoudamire, Ruben Patterson, Dale Davis and Derek Anderson all can be had.