Yahoo.com-The New York Knicks are getting closer to reaching the Houston Rockets’ demands for Tracy McGrady(notes) and his $23 million expiring contract, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Knicks and Rockets have designed the framework of a deal that would unload New York’s Jared Jeffries(notes), Jordan Hill(notes) and either Al Harrington(notes) or Larry Hughes(notes) for McGrady, Joey Dorsey(notes) and Brian Cook(notes).

As talks stood on Monday, the price of dumping the burdensome contract of Jeffries – who is owed $6.9 million next season – comes with the Knicks and Rockets exchanging 2011 first-round picks and the Knicks’ 2012 first-round choice going to Houston. New York also might include a 2010 second-round pick.

The Utah Jazz own the Knicks’ first-round pick in 2010.

The discussion on potential draft picks changing hands remains fluid.

The completion of the deal isn’t imminent, but sources involved in the discussions are increasingly confident that after months of back and forth, which intensified over All-Star weekend, an agreement is within reach. TNT’s David Aldridge first reported that talks between the teams had picked up.

One of the hang-ups in the deal, sources said, could be the Knicks’ inclusion of either Harrington or Hughes. There are slight variations of the trade that would change depending on which of the two veteran Knicks’ expiring contracts are included. With Harrington over Hughes in the deal, the Rockets wouldn’t need to include Cook.

He was picked 23rd by Isiah Thomas as a defensive stopper. He is low key and does not shout or argue with other players or the refs. His name is Wilson Chandler. Last season Chandler looked like he was a Knicks player that was on the rise of showing true value. He took the intensity that he had on the defensive end of the court and brought it to the offensive side of the court. Now we are seeing a player that can score against some of the best players in the league.

The beginning of this season was a rough start for Wilson Chandler. He was shooting poorly and causing turnovers. His lack of production was due to not playing this summer as he recovered from major surgery. Now at this stage in the season he looks like he is getting better and better. What I have noticed about Wilson is his midrange game might be as good as anyone in the league. Whether he’s doing his stop and pop jump shot on the baseline or -the foul line area, Chandler’s shot is (as they say in the gym) “all net baby.” It seems like at times he can’t miss from 10-15 feet. This season you are witnessing him making sure he is one of the first players down the court finishing on the break.

Now we all know that Chandler can drive to the hole. The problem is in the past Chandler would just put his head down and drive to the rim and sometimes get called for charging or just making a bad play. Now when Chandler is in situations like this, he now is pulling up before the help defender comes. No longer is he trying to force the issue or shots. He is letting the game come to him. Chandler before this season was shooting 43% and now this season he is shooting 45% from the field every night or better.

I still wish he would drive left more often but it looks like Chandler’s opponents are having a hard time as it is stopping him from going right. Now when players play him too close trying to anticipate Chandler driving he is making adjustments. I have noticed him spinning to his left or spinning back right. Adjusting to the opponent’s defensive schemes is something that Wilson Chandler would never have dared to do last season.

Wilson Chandler is also shooting less 3 point shots. This is huge in Wilson’s game. Not every player has to shoot a 3 point shot just because the defense is giving them the open 3. Just because you are open does not mean you have to take it. If you look at Richard Hamilton and even guard Toney Parker you will notice they are some of the best with shooting the midrange shots. Toney Parker and Rip Hamilton rarely shoot 3 point shots. If Chandler could model his midrange game after Rip Hamilton he will be fine. Chandler in the post is also giving teams headaches. Especially when Chandler has a shorter opponent guarding him in the post off a switch. To be honest it might be time for Wilson Chandler to get more shot attempts. For a guy that shoots 45% from the field he has the skills to drop 18-20 every night. The problem is he does not get enough shot attempts as his colleagues.

Wilson Chandler brings defensive intensity. Besides Jared Jeffries, Chandler is the next best defensive player on this Knicks’ team. He has the ability to guard all the positions on the court except for the center position. His good foot work, athletic ability, and strength are the key to his excellent defense. If you are still sleeping on Chandler’s defense just ask Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett and Joe Johnson about the player they’ve come to know as “Ill Will”.

Right now Knicks fans are witnessing a player developing right before our eyes. Who said the Knicks don’t have any home grown talented?

New Chandler Mix 3

Danilo Gallinari now has the attitude of “I want the ball so I am going to go get it.” If not he will try to free himself up. The bottom line is Gallo has been more aggressive on the offensive end of the court. When a player is more aggressive his teammates will naturally try to look for them. Being passive will get you nowhere in a league where players are fighting for roster spots and their career, day in and day out. If the shot is not falling Danilo Gallinari has been driving hard to the hole and picking up fouls. I have also noticed him cutting baseline and completing back door plays.

Danilo Gallinari has a new attitude as part of the package. We have witnessed him dunk on Hibbert and go into a Bruce Lee “Enter the Dragon” stance and shoot critical daggers to bring the Knicks to victory. I don’t know if it’s because he’s watching basketball video’s like the Larry Bird tape or Kung Fu Joe. The bottom line is he’s playing with a passion to win. He could miss 3 shots in a row and still comeback and still shoot with confidence. There is no shame in his game.

The thing that I am most excited about is Danilo Gallinari’s defense. In the month of December and this month so far I have seen Gallinari staying with his man. Most important small guards have had a hard time shaking off the 6’ll forward. We all know that Jared Jeffries has the ability to stay with guards off the dribble but I think Gallo could also help out in that department. Last month Danilo said he wants to be an all-around-player. Well it looks like he’s acting on it and not just saying things to sound clever or cute. He is also a big part in help defense and getting defensive rebounds.

Overall, I like the progress and swagger that Danilo Gallinari is bringing.

Danilo Gallinari highlights