Boris Diaw and Raja Bell could be making a brief stopover in Charlotte before being rerouted to New York. The pair of former Suns, who also happen to be two of D'Antoni's favorite players, were sent to the Bobcats last week in a trade for Richardson and Jared Dudley. But according to a league official, Charlotte was pushing to get the deal finalized quickly because after 60 days - and right before the February trading deadline - they would have the option of combining Diaw and Bell in a trade, with the Knicks believed to be their final destination. The contracts of Diaw and Bell match those of Eddy Curry and Lee, a restricted free agent this coming summer. New York Daily News
However, because the trade that sent Bell and Diaw to the Bobcats for Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley was done when it was, D'Antoni could be in position to acquire one or both of his former players before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
A person with knowledge of the Suns-Bobcats trade said the deal was accomplished in time to allow both players to be trade-eligible by the deadline. NBA rules say traded players cannot be moved again for 60 days. The deal was done Dec. 10, which means they can be traded again Feb. 9.
Another source has said the Bobcats have maintained interest in Eddy Curry, who has yet to play this season because of a bone bruise in his left knee. The Knicks - who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - could flip Curry for Diaw, who are close in salary. Diaw's deal goes a year longer than Curry's, but it would save the Knicks $2.2 million in cap space for 2010.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... 3012.story