Nate Situation “Getting Warmer”, C’s Sending Pick?

Posted by Zach Lowe on Feb 17, 2010 611415 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F02%2F17%2Fnate-situation-getting-warmer%2FNate+Situation+%22Getting+Warmer%22%2C+C%27s+Sending+Pick%3F+2010-02-17+17%3A34%3A58Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D6114

Alan Hahn, Newsday’s outstanding Knicks beat guy, just Tweeted this:

“Just heard the Celtics/Nate Robinson situation getting warmer: Searching for 3rd team to make the deal happen because of N8′s BYC contract.”

And, then, this:

Knicks will likely secure a draft pick in the Robinson swap with the Celtics. At least that’s the goal here. Eddie House likely in the deal.

BYC=base-year compensation, and we covered it here last night. The Celtics need a third a team to take on salary they must send out to make the deal work but which the Knicks, because of Robinson’s BYC status, cannot take onto their books. Memphis is a prime candidate for this role, and they would likely demand a sweetener for the right to essentially rent their cap space for the rest of the season. Knowing Memphis, that sweetener would likely be cash.

Here’s a question: Do you do this deal if the Knicks ask for a first-round pick? The Knicks have little financial incentive to deal Robinson just for an expiring deal, since Robinson’s deal also expires and the Knicks reportedly have little interest in re-signing him.