First, there were the rumors that Isiah was pursuing Orlando point guard Steve Francis. Today, Newsday is reporting that the Knicks and Blazers are working on a deal that would send Darius Miles and Theo Ratliff to New York.

The Steve Francis trade, at least as it pertains to the Knicks, is probably dead. Kelvin Cato's contract would have likely had to be included to make the deal work for salary cap purposes, and the Magic have already traded him to Detroit for Darko the Magnificent.

But Darius Miles? I'm really starting to believe that Isiah Thomas wants Larry Brown to suffer. The same Darius Miles who plays defense with all the intensity of Norm MacDonald on quaaludes? The same Darius Miles who turns the ball over like it's his job? That's just being mean to Larry Brown.

If Isiah is able to pull off both trades, and put Darius Miles, Steve Francis, and Stephon Marbury all on the floor at the same, I am going to start a Larry Brown Suicide Pool, and I'm taking "right now."

Knicks target Ratliff, Miles [Newsday.com]