Rockets star Tracy McGrady said Wednesday he would consider skipping next year's All-Star game if he felt he wouldn't be safe in New Orleans.

"When they first mentioned to me that the All-Star game was going to be in New Orleans, the first thing I thought about is how much security they are going to have for the players and everybody there," McGrady said.

"I don't think it's the right city to have this type of event right now. I know the city is in need of trying to get back on their feet, in need of money. Safety comes first. I'm sure they have to do a lot of research and look into before they really make this decision."

Rockets guard Tracy McGrady, who missed Monday's game against the Boston Celtics after he was sent home with flu-like symptoms, is expected to play tonight against the Toronto Raptors, Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones said.

"He's doing better. He's doing fine," Jones said. "I would say he's probable. He's not getting worse."

The Rockets have had talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves about a long-shot deal in which they would acquire former Rockets Mike James and Eddie Griffin before today's trade deadline, two Western Conference officials said.

The Rockets, however, are among many teams that have inquired about James since he was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Randy Foye. The Timberwolves are insisting that to get James any team must take Griffin, whom the Rockets, and most other teams, would likely then release.

Griffin has played in just 13 games this season and not at all since he was suspended for violating the NBA/NBA Players Association anti-drug policy.

Griffin and James earn almost $8 million, making it difficult if not impossible for the Rockets to make such a deal without including either Rafer Alston or Juwan Howard, options that could make a deal with the Rockets unlikely.

Think you can find Mike James a new home?  Try by using RealGM's Trade Checker.

Now that Pau Gasol is unlikely to be dealt, Kings forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim is the most prominently mentioned possibility for the Bulls, though a late rumor Wednesday had the club trying to acquire Bonzi Wells from the Rockets.

Skiles met with Paxson on Wednesday morning before the team departed for Cleveland.

"As coaches, even though I know more than the average person, I still have to operate under the assumption that this is the team we're going to [have] the rest of the season," Skiles said. "If you don't do that, you're making a mistake."

The quandary that Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson faces with Thursday's 2 p.m. trade deadline rapidly approaching is probably a good sign. But that, he said, makes his decisions more difficult.

The Rockets have done enough for there to be reason to seek a deal to help them move to the next echelon to contenders. But that success also gives them reason to be cautious with the roster.

With the stakes raised, so is the risk.

"I don't think you tinker with it," Dawson said. "You try to only mess with chemistry when you're pretty sure you added talent or a better fit.

"It's got to be a definite thing you see helps the overall team, that improves a certain position or solves a problem."

Coach Jeff Van Gundy said there was an addition he felt could complement the team, but he left it at that.

"Obviously, we're in fifth place," Van Gundy said. "You can't rest until you've won it. Dallas last year was in the Finals. They went out and added four new pieces. You have to keep searching until you feel you got it just right. But that doesn't mean every time you're going to decide change is the best way, either. Sometimes, not doing anything is the best move."

Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo plans to put off retirement for at least one more season.

"I will play next year. Hopefully I will play here again. That's my hope and my wish. My wife keeps telling my I should not walk away right now," Mutombo told Houston television station KRIV on Monday.

Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni confirmed that Dirk Nowitzki would replace the injured Yao Ming in the starting lineup for the Western Conference.

Rockets center Yao Ming attended Thursday's shootaround, giving him, he said, another chance to get used to the knee brace he will wear on his right knee and to brush up on the Rockets' sets.

"The knee is pretty heavy with the brace on there," Yao said. "I need to adjust to it, try to get back and relearn the game plan after missing eight weeks.

"I think (the biggest obstactle) is conditioning. It's about feel. I believe (attending shootarounds) will be helpful. The last two years, I had a lot of experience (coming back from injuries.)"

Yao has said he hoped to be cleared to practice by the end of the month and to play about 10 days later. He has been permitted to do "straight-ahead" conditioning and listed "shooting, post moves and learning on tape" as his current regimen. He has not been cleared for any side-to-side movement.

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said on Tuesday that he believes when Yao is medically cleared to practice, he should be cleared to play, too.

Tracy McGrady scored 28 points and had 12 assists as the Houston Rockets overcame Ron Artest's big night to beat the Sacramento Kings 109-104 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Artest matched his career high with 39 points, hitting 12 of 23 shots and going 10-for-11 from the free-throw line. Artest also had eight rebounds.His free throws with 1:47 left in overtime put the Kings up 104-103, but McGrady hit a turning fadeaway over Artest with 1:29 left to put Houston up for good.Luther Head hit a floater in the final minute of the extra period and forced John Salmons into a turnover at the other end that helped clinch Houston's eighth victory in 10 games.

Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today the Grizzlies have acquired forward Scott Padgett from the Houston Rockets in exchange for center Jake Tsakalidis.  

Tsakalidis, 7-2, 290 pounds, averaged 2.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 11.2 minutes in 23 games with the Grizzlies this season and 3.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 12.4 minutes over 145 total games (55 starts) with Memphis. He had his best season in a Grizzlies uniform in 2005-06, averaging 5.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 51 games. In 302 career games with Phoenix and Memphis, he has averaged 4.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 16.1 minutes. Tsakalidis was acquired by the Grizzlies from Phoenix on September 30, 2003 and re-signed Sept. 10, 2004 after the Grizzlies matched an offer sheet he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

?This is a good opportunity for Jake to have more playing time,? said West. ?He is a great person and a true professional, and we wish him well in the future.?

Fans can try their own trades ahead of the February 22 trade deadline via RealGM's Trade Checker, which is still going strong since 2000.  Do you have a move to improve your team?