Randolph for Darko Talks Dormant For Weeks

The New York Times douses out those raging rumors about a deal with Zach Randolph, Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric changing hands. Despite indications the negotiations were feverishly being worked out between New York and Memphis, the Times quotes Donnie Walsh saying nothing's happening.

"It was a conversation I had with these guys a month ago," Walsh said. "We haven't talked recently. For some reason, it was in the Memphis press and everyone in New York acts like it's imminent."

It's a weird development, considering Walsh admitted there had been talks without noting the current coolness just last week, and both central players have said recently they expect to be traded soon. This could be a touch of gamesmanship from Walsh, or he could be telling the complete truth, and everyone -- including the Memphis press -- might just be starving for NBA news.

While we're here: I'm among the universal legions who feel Darko is not salvageable. He has played on every type of team with almost every type of coach ... and he still doesn't get it. He has fire when he plays for Serbia, but absolutely none in the NBA. It's infuriating. That said: there are plenty of ways to prove Darko sucks without making up meaningless statistics -- like "assist + block to foul ratio," as one prominent blogger does. Sure, Darko has more career fouls than assists and blocks combined. So do Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer. It means nothing.