HoopsHype.com Rumors

After years of taking that winding drive along New Jersey Route 3 to have their fortunes determined by ping-pong balls in a drum, the 14 teams that miss out on the playoffs this season will be taking a journey to a different location in hopes of altering the course of their respective franchises. The NBA is moving the draft lottery to New York, according to multiple league sources. Since 1994, the NBA has held the draft order drawing for the teams that failed to make the postseason at its studios in Secaucus, N.J. But the league laid off more than 100 employees and shut down one of its two offices in Secaucus last summer, creating an opening for a new venue. The lottery will be held on May 30 and the location in New York will be announced in the next few weeks. Washington Post

Draft, New York, New Jersey 

The Knicks scored more points than any Pistons opponent. They shot the best field-goal percentage (60). The 27-point final margin marked the Pistons’ worst loss of the season, and was their seventh loss of 20-plus points, including all three games on this four-game road trip so far. New York also took advantage of another rash of Pistons turnovers -- 22 in all -- to shoot an astonishing 26-of-30 on shots in the paint, and hand Detroit its sixth consecutive loss. "We’re not even putting ourselves in position where these games are in doubt," Frank said. "I think we’re all embarrassed that we’re not doing better, and we’re all involved in it. We all have to raise our hand and figure out areas we can improve." Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, New York 

Travis Outlaw, who the Nets waived Thursday, also is on the Knicks’ radar. A source said the interest is mutual. Bergen Record

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Travis Outlaw, New York 

Evans strictly is a reserve — and potentially a good one, having played two seasons for assistant Mike Woodson in Atlanta when Woodson was head coach. “Mo has always been undervalued, whatever team he goes he always ends up playing more than anticipated,’’ Evans’ agent Roger Montgomery told The Post. “New York’s like his second home now [after the lockout]. When you mention Evans and Jamal, Jamal has the stylish name but the Knicks need the substance. Mo gives them substance. I think he can be perfect for what they’re looking for — defense.’’ New York Post

Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, New York 

For the talks to gather significant momentum again, the Clippers want the NBA to return with a far more modest proposal of what they want for Paul. “They’re scrambling now,” one official said of the NBA. “But it’s still hard to tell if they really want to trade him, or they’re just determined to keep the asking price in a place where they can hold onto him for the next owner. …These guys in New York had no idea how hard this process would be.” Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Trade, New York 

Miller, according to several sources, sent a letter to teams over the weekend that reiterated that Billups would be unhappy if anyone claimed him out of the waiver pool (for at least $1.35 million, the minimum for 10-plus year veterans like Billups) after being released by New York on Saturday via the amnesty provision. Miller did not respond to e-mails and calls seeking comment Monday. NBA.com

New York Knicks, New York 

The Chris Paul circus began anew on Sunday, when two sources confirmed an ESPN.com report that the Hornets and Clippers have re-engaged in trade discussions for the four-time All-Star point guard. While Paul had long hoped he could wind up with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York, sources close to Paul have previously told SI.com that Los Angeles -- either with the Clippers or Lakers -- would be desirable as a long-term landing spot, as well. Because Paul can become a free agent next summer, teams are looking for some assurance that he would eventually commit beyond this season. SI.com

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Trade, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles, New York 

The Indianapolis Star reported earlier Sunday that the New York Knicks' pursuit of Jamal Crawford in a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta and one more unspecified team was expected to put the Pacers back on the Mayo trail. Yahoo! Sports reported Saturday night that the Pacers had moved strongly into the bidding for West when the Hornets and Celtics could not immediately complete a sign-and-trade deal to land West with the Celtics. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Trade, Jamal Crawford, New York 

Jeff Zillgitt: Andy Rautins will go to Mavs as part of Tyson Chandler sign/trade, but Rautins will be bought out, according to person w/knowledge. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Trade, Tyson Chandler, Andy Rautins, New York 

Howard Beck: Confirmed: Tyson Chandler will come to Knicks via sign/trade. Hearing that Andy Rautins will go to Mavs, who also get a trade exception. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Trade, Tyson Chandler, Andy Rautins, New York 

This summer and fall, I spent 156 hours in some of New York’s finest hotels. I did not sleep, or shower, or earn rewards points. I was not, in the vernacular of the service industry, a “guest.” At times, I felt more like a hostage, subsisting on a diet of stale pizza, trail mix and anonymous sources. To be a reporter covering the N.B.A. lockout was to enter a parallel universe, where normalcy was suspended, truth was pliable and time had no meaning. Absurdity reigned. New York Times

Media, CBA, Lockout, New York 

The fans helped keep us sane — along with reruns of “Seinfeld” streaming on the touchpad screens of Ken Berger of CBSSports.com and Alan Hahn of Newsday. The fans kept us fed, too. A network of generous bloggers, coordinated by the salary-cap savant Larry Coon — out of pity or support — regularly sent us stacks of pizza. Marc Cornstein, a New York-based player agent, sent two massive deli platters (thus inspiring a new sandwich title, the Cornstein on rye). The Brooklyn-bound Nets also sent pizza one afternoon, to the chagrin of the Waldorf security staff, which harrumphed at the stack of cardboard boxes in their pristine lobby. (That lobby was routinely chilled to what felt like 55 degrees, which at least helped keep us awake.) New York Times

Media, CBA, Lockout, New York 

The hotels were chosen, often at the last minute, based on the availability of conference rooms. N.B.A. officials had a particular affinity for the Lowell, which had a tiny lobby, forcing us to wait outside. Passers-by, many of them walking tiny dogs, often asked if we were waiting for someone famous. No, we told them, just David Stern. New York Times

Media, CBA, David Stern, Lockout, New York 

Anthony, who was the first Knick to arrive at MSG Training Center, denied that he is doing any recruiting, though he and Paul spent much of the summer together -- some of it in New York -- and have developed a close friendship. "I'm not involved in that process. No way," Anthony said of Paul's future. "That's a subject, a topic, that I don't want to touch. I don't want to deal with that. Regardless of what I'm saying here today, that will be the biggest topic, the biggest discussion, at the beginning of the season. "As far as me recruiting Chris Paul, no, not at all. We're very close friends, I'm pretty sure you guys saw him out here in New York a lot . . . but we've never had any kind of conversation about him coming to New York.'' Newsday

New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Trade, Chris Paul, New York 

After spending the past few days trying to convince outsiders that its union is not splintering, members of the NBA Players Association's executive committee will meet this week to map out their next move in stalled labor negotiations with league officials. Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that the union's executive board has scheduled a Thursday session in New York in the wake of multiple public denials from executive director Billy Hunter and president Derek Fisher. The denials followed numerous published reports since the weekend that the union's top two officials are no longer working in concert. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, New York 

Iverson is working with the Justice Entertainment Group on the four-team Las Vegas Superstar Challenge slated for Nov. 12-13 at the Thomas and Mack Center. Iverson, who signed a contract with the Griz for the 2009-10 season, will announce the event Wednesday in Las Vegas. Confirmed players include: Amare Stoudemire (New York Knicks), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings), Lou Williams (Philadelphia 76ers), Hakim Warrick (Phoenix Suns), Chauncey Billups (New York Knicks), Al Harrington (Denver Nuggets), Stephen Jackson (Golden State Warriors), Monte Ellis (Golden State Warriors), Corey Maggette (Charlotte Bobcats), Matt Barnes (Los Angeles Lakers), David Lee (Golden State Warriors), James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ryan Hollins (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Marcus Morris (Houston Rockets). Memphis Commercial Appeal

Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Paul Pierce, Amare Stoudemire, Corey Maggette, Kevin Durant, Allen Iverson, Los Angeles, David Lee, Matt Barnes, Chauncey Billups, Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Hakim Warrick, James Harden, Lockout, Las Vegas, Tyreke Evans, Ryan Hollins, New York, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris 

Comcast-Spectacor's sale of the 76ers to a group of investors led by New York billionaire Joshua Harris is expected to close early next week, according to a source close to the situation. Terms of the sale were agreed upon in July, but the deal has been pending approval of the NBA's board of governors for more than two months. The NBA has been mired in a lockout since July 1. On Monday, the league canceled the first two weeks of the 2011-12 regular season. The new ownership group is expected to speak publicly for the first time next week, assuming the sale is officially approved, as expected. Philadelphia Inquirer

New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New York, Joshua Harris 

Alex Kennedy: The NBPA has officially postponed tomorrow's regional meeting in Los Angeles so that the two sides can meet again in New York. Twitter

New York Knicks, Los Angeles, New York 

Privately, the most influential player agents in the business swear they won’t let Billy Hunter cut a crippling collective bargaining deal. They won’t let his parting gift to the union membership be deeper concessions, givebacks to the owners. They can’t storm the negotiating room in New York this week, but they believe they can ultimately stop the ratifying of a deal. They can deliver the percentage of players needed to decertify the union. They believe they still can unleash holy hell on this sure, steady capitulation to the NBA. “The players don’t want to make these kinds of concessions, yet the union keeps giving them,” one agent in a prominent firm told Yahoo! Sports. “The union hasn’t been listening to its players.” Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, Billy Hunter, New York 

Although the NBA season is in jeopardy due to the lockout, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant fueled up on a lunch fit for an athlete at Serafina on 61st and Madison the other day. James dined with girlfriend Savannah Brinson. On Friday, Bryant dined there with his wife, Vanessa, and their kids. The Laker family left before Kourtney Kardashian and baby Mason popped in for lunch with two friends and -- surprise -- a crew filming her reality show, “Kourtney & Kim Take New York.” New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, New York