The New York Knicks on Wednesday were without Nate Robinson, who they said has flulike symptoms. Media reports said New York was close to trading the backup guard to the Boston Celtics.
Celtics guard Eddie House told the media on Wednesday that he could be part of the deal.
"I was talking with my agent and there's a strong possibility that I'll be traded [Thursday] to New York," House said. "With that being said, I've always had a bond with these guys. I love playing with [the Celtics], but at the end of the day, it's a business. The Celtics feel like they're a better team with the guy they're trying to get. I gotta move on, that's what it is. I'm here at practice today, I'm a basketball player, I'm going to do what I love to do. Then [Thursday] I'll figure out what's going to happen.
"At the end of the day, you can't control it. It's out of my hands -- it's never been in my hands. Wherever I go, if I go to New York, I'll play two months, try to play real strong basketball, get some wins with those guys, and make a good account for me for free agency."
Two sources told ESPN.com the Celtics and Knicks are in advanced talks, but no deal had been finalized Wednesday afternoon.
A potential holdup in the deal, the Boston Globe reported, is the fact that House's $2.8 million salary does not match the $2.02 million that Robinson's contract is worth, so there would need to be more to the deal than a one-for-one swap. One rumored possibility is that the Celtics could include a second-round pick in the deal.
A source close to House told the Globe that House wasn't mentioned prominently in the deal until late Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Robinson would back up starting point guard Rajon Rondo if dealt to the Celtics and is averaging 13.2 points and 3.7 assists per game in New York. He was fined by the NBA earlier this season after his agent told reporters he had asked the Knicks to trade his client.
In his third season in Boston, the 31-year-old House is averaging 7.1 points per game off the bench for the Celtics.
House expressed excitement about potentially reconnecting with Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, whom he played for in Phoenix.
"That helps a lot," House said. "I know the coaching staff, I know the system, I know the plays they run. I know my style fits right in. I'm feeling good right now about the way I'm playing. It's going to be a good thing. You have to take it like that.
"Nothing surprises me in this league. You never know what can happen. I take it all in stride. It had to be for a reason. Whatever that reason is."
Inrformation from ESPNBoston.com Celtics reporter Chris Forsberg was used in this report.