Bulls top Knicks as both teams look to get McGrady

CHICAGO - There was a time the Knicks and Bulls used to compete for Eastern Conference supremacy. These days, it's for salary-cap space.

As the teams played last night at United Center with rosters of players neither team apparently plans to keep - aside from young centerpieces such as Derrick Rose and Danilo Gallinari - the front offices are engaged in a poker game to acquire fading star Tracy McGrady mainly for his $23-million expiring contract and the possibility to clear more cap room for this summer's foray into free agency.

Then they'll compete for an even bigger prize: luring the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson.

On the court last night, Rose finished with 29 points and shot 14-for-18 to pace the Bulls (26-26) to a 118-85 victory. David Lee had 24 points with 12 rebounds and Al Harrington had 15 points and eight boards for the Knicks (19-33).

"We want to be under the cap as far as we can go to get as much flexibility as we can get," Mike D'Antoni said. "I don't really know what that goes into but that's the plan and that's what we're going to do. Whether we're there now and that's as good as we can do, then we're there now. Whether we can open up more room, we'll look at it. Nothing's off the table."

While various dot-com depots have volleyed the status of the McGrady situation between the alternating agendas of each team, the fact is the Knicks and Bulls are both interested in trading for McGrady, but only if it accomplishes the goal of moving an unwanted salary. For the Knicks, it involves Jared Jeffries' $6.8-million salary in 2010-11. For the Bulls, it is Kirk Hinrich ($9 million) or at least John Salmons ($5.8 million), on top of the given: Tyrus Thomas ($6.2-million qualifying offer).

The Rockets aren't under any real pressure to move McGrady, but they would prefer to get something out of him, such as a young asset or first-round picks, rather than just letting his salary fall off the books June 30. Several insiders say the Knicks aren't entirely comfortable with giving up on a young player such as Jordan Hill or first-round picks.

The Bulls are looking to move Thomas and would take Al Harrington, but the Knicks would have to pick up Jerome James and his expiring contract. The Bulls are also believed to want one of the Knicks' second-round picks in this year's draft.

The Knicks also are in on other options, such as point guard Sergio Rodriguez, who could be had for the Knicks' $1.6-million trade exception because the Kings are looking to shed some cash. A source also indicated that the Knicks consider little-used Bulls guard Jannero Pargo as a cheap option for backcourt depth, especially if they wind up moving Nate Robinson.

But aside from the McGrady deal, the Knicks - owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - don't appear to be looking to get heavily involved in some of the bigger contracts on the rumor mill, such as Amar'e Stoudemire, Andre Iguodala, Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince. Stoudemire is the only player who has an opt-out this season and there are no guarantees he will exercise it. D'Antoni said jumping at a trade for a big contract at this point would be "like trying to open your gifts before Christmas."