YouTube.com

Jason Hart

The Timberwolves traded guard Jason Hart to the Suns on Tuesday in exchange for Alando Tucker, a second-round pick and cash.

Minnesota was in talks with New Orleans about acquiring Devin Brown, but talks fell through even though general manager David Kahn had gone as far as to prepare a statement regarding the trade.

The Suns, who also are looking to save money, waived Hart.

Real GM

Tracy McGrady

Mike D’Antoni threw the Knicks’ hat into the ring in the Tracy McGrady sweepstakes.

D’Antoni acknowledged for the first time publicly the Knicks are interested in pursuing the former superstar, McGrady, saying the Rockets swingman has enough left in the tank to be a leading man and calling the issue “an intriguing thing that will be evaluated.”

“It’s a name Donnie [Walsh] I’m sure will analyze and look at and see if it makes sense,” D’Antoni said.

Inside Hoops

Jamaal Tinsley bounces the ball through Andrey Blatche’s Legs.

YouTube.com

Lawrence Frank

Vinny Del Negro is getting closer and closer to adding another title to his current one as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

Unfortunately for him, the word is “former” and it will be added as soon as the team can figure out who will replace him.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the team is interested in one of its own former coaches, Doug Collins, or former Nets coach Lawrence Frank.

Yahoo Sports

Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady has been cleared to take an indefinite leave from the Houston Rockets after the former All-Star’s representatives and Rockets management agreed to work together in search of a trade for the disgruntled guard, according to sources close to the situation.

Sources close to the process told ESPN.com that multiple phone discussions Monday between Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and coach Rick Adelman in conjunction with McGrady’s lead agent, Arn Tellem, led to a mutual agreement that both sides would try to hatch a workable trade before the league’s annual trading deadline on Feb. 18.

Boston Celtics

While Doc Rivers said the fourth-quarter exchange between Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins was just Garnett encouraging Perkins to be more focused, Garnett said after the 92-90 loss to the Clippers that Perkins needs to reduce some of those mental lapses.

Perkins and Garnett argued after Perkins picked up two consecutive fouls, one on Baron Davis was ruled an “away from the play” foul and resulted in one free throw.

FanNation

Tracy McGrady

The Rockets and Tracy McGrady’s agent, Bob Myers, will have discussions at the conclusion of the team’s current road trip to decide the next step for the disgruntled former All-Star.

According to an NBA front office source familiar with the situation, the only logical step now is for McGrady to formally request a trade.

McGrady was given permission to fly home to Houston before a road game againsty the Nets on Saturday after coach Rick Adelman rebuffed his latest request for an increase in playing time. McGrady logged about eight minutes per game in the first six games of his comeback from microfracture knee surgery, but has bristled at Adelman’s refusal to play him more.

HoopsWorld

Vinny Del Negro

The decision to fire head coach Vinny Del Negro has already been made, according to sources with knowledge of the Chicago Bulls’ thinking. The fact that the Bulls’ front office has not been able to settle on a replacement is the main thing keeping the embattled Del Negro employed, the sources said.

There were discussions recently within the organization about having John Paxson, Chicago’s executive vice president of basketball operations, take over the team, but Paxson ultimately decided against it.

Then, according to sources, Chicago contacted former Bulls coach Doug Collins, a candidate for the job two years ago when Del Negro was hired, but Collins was not interested in coaching the club.

ESPN.com

Corey Maggette

Golden State Warriors general manager Larry Riley said he is weary of all the trade rumors hanging over his team and claims he is not shopping any player – despite rumblings throughout the NBA indicating otherwise.

One NBA executive said the Warriors are “trying to unload” forward Corey Maggette (no surprise, given his mammoth contract) and would trade young forward Anthony Randolph for “the right veteran.”

FanNation