The Knicks’ trade rumor mill was buzzing all day but the Knicks only made a minor trade a day before the trade deadline.

The Knicks received some cap relief for this season by trading Darko Milicic to the Timberwolves for Brian Cardinal. The Knicks are expected to waive Cardinal in order to open a roster spot.

The Knicks also got word that the NBA is granting the Knicks $9.5 million of cap relief for the retired Cuttino Mobley. 

Three major rumors surrounded the Knicks all day and as of the day’s end, none of them are official.

One trade has Nate Robinson going to the Boston Celtics for assets unknown. Reports went back and forth all day about the specifics but up to 15 hours before the deadline, nothing is clear. Eddie House is probably a sure piece that would go to the Knicks. Along with House, there were rumors that the Knicks would also receive either Boston’s first round pick, second round pick, or JR Giddens. If Boston actually surrenders a pick for Nate, it would be an incredible trade for the Knicks. Eddie House is a guy that can play well in D’Antoni’s system and I could foresee the Knicks re-signing him tis summer. But House would be icing on the cake if the Knicks get a pick from Boston.

Nate Robinson missed the last two games due to illness and before the Knicks home game against the Bulls, Nate’s locker was cleaned out and empty. A deals seems imminent. Of all the trade rumors surrounding the Knicks, Nate being traded to the Celtics is the most likely to happen.

The Knicks are also rumored to be close to a deal for Tracy McGrady. Reports say the Knicks and Bulls are the two teams vying for McGrady’s services. Some reports say the Rockets may decide not to trade McGrady if they don’t think they are getting enough back in return. In the end, I think the Knicks will land McGrady before the 3 p.m. deadline Thursday. The holdup seems to be the Knicks reluctance to part with Jordan Hill and their 2012 first round pick.

Another rumor has the Knicks sending Al Harrington to the Bulls for Tyrus Thomas and Jerome James. This trade depends somewhat on who the Rockets trade with because Thomas would most likely go to Houstin if McGrady gets shipped to the Bulls. Thomas and James’ contracts expire after this season.

There’s a decent chance that the Knicks pull off three pretty big trades within the next 15 hours. 

There hasn’t been this much buzz about the Knicks before the trade deadline in years.