washtimes:According to a Western Conference general manager who spoke under condition of anonymity yesterday, the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies and another Western Conference team have spoken with Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld about trading for Atkins.
Grunfeld, as is his policy, did not comment on any potential personnel moves. The Wizards have until the Feb.?23 trade deadline to make a move.
Atkins, who has started just two games this season for the Wizards, was not with the team for the second game in a row; he was in Orlando, Fla., where his wife, Monica, gave birth to a son, Joel.
Atkins, acquired with Caron Butler from the Los Angeles Lakers in August in exchange for Kwame Brown and Laron Profit, voiced displeasure earlier this season with his playing time and said he wanted to be traded. Atkins started all 82 games for the Lakers last season and averaged 13.6 points and 4.4 assists a game. However, he has played a more limited role behind Gilbert Arenas and is averaging 6.7 points and 2.5 assists in 19.7 minutes.
New York is believed to be extremely interested in Atkins. He played for Knicks coach Larry Brown in Detroit, and he could be inserted alongside Stephon Marbury, who has said he would prefer to play shooting guard rather than the point.
