NBA Insider with Ken Berger

With the Feb. 22 trade deadline fast approaching, I just got finished participating in discussions with Isiah Thomas and Elton Brand about the definition of “untouchable.” I got very different answers.

For more on Thomas’ assertion before tonight’s game against the Clippers that everybody on his roster is untouchable, and for my thoughts on it, check out my column in tomorrow’s paper. But suffice it to say, Brand of the Clippers made Thomas look silly, considering he believes there are only five untradeable players in the NBA.

“I think really it goes probably Yao, Duncan, Kobe, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James,” Brand said. “And a few guys are right there on that cusp, but that would be my five that I would say right now are untradeable. They seem to be happy and content with their teams also. That’s my five.”

Hmmm. Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, D-Wade and LeBron. That would be my five, too. And not a Knick among them.

Brand, who probably will be named to Western Conference All-Star team as an injury replacement for Yao or Carlos Boozer, doesn’t even think it’s out of the question that the underachieving Clippers would deal him before the deadline.

“I don’t think it’s too absurd,” Brand said. “It is what it is. It’s a business. … Money-wise or to improving-the-team-wise, something could happen. Not just because Shaq got traded or this guy got traded, but it happens.”

Thomas should have said that Eddy Curry is the only player he wouldn’t trade. It’s beginning to look less likely that the Knicks will make a big move before the deadline, but a minor deal for a shooter for Curry to pass to out of double teams would certainly help.

We’ll see how untouchable everybody is on Feb. 22.