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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:43 p.m., Tuesday, November 25, 2008

NBA: Knicks trade official, but Mobley's status unclear

Associated Press

NEW YORK — The trade that sent Zach Randolph from New York to the Los Angeles Clippers was completed Tuesday, though Cuttino Mobley still wasn't available to play for the Knicks.

The deal was made Friday but was hung up when the Knicks reportedly learned of a heart condition during Mobley's physical. Randolph was prevented from playing Monday night for the Clippers because of the delay.

New York waived the physical requirement so the deal could be finalized.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh wouldn't reveal the nature of Mobley's medical condition, but said Mobley wouldn't be available for Tuesday's game against Cleveland or Wednesday night in Detroit while he underwent additional testing.

Tim Thomas, acquired along with Mobley, was in uniform for New York on Tuesday night against Cleveland.

Walsh added he didn't know if Mobley would ever play for the Knicks. Coach Mike D'Antoni said before the game he was "anxious" about Mobley's status, but didn't have much other information.

However, the Knicks had plenty of reason to want the deal to go through, anyway.

The trade, combined with the one hours earlier that sent Jamal Crawford to Golden State for Al Harrington, allowed the Knicks to clear more than $27 million of salary cap space for the summer of 2010, when LeBron James could become a free agent.

Harrington practiced Monday and got in the game against Cleveland in the first quarter. Thomas entered shortly afterward.