From ESPN INSIDER:

Knicks, Rockets racing against the clock

Suddenly, Warriors free agent Marc Jackson is the hottest commodity in the NBA. After being virtually ignored all summer, he now appears to have two suitors in hot pursuit.

The Knicks received a $2.8 million medical exception Tuesday and must use it by Monday. They have shown interest in Jackson, who is a restricted free agent, as well as Cavs free-agent Chris Gatling.

Jackson may have a very tough decision very soon. The Rockets, who expected to hear back from the league on their medical exception at the same time the Knicks did, are still waiting by the phone. Houston is prepared to offer Jackson the full $3.25 million exception, if the league grants it.

If the Knicks tender a required three-year offer to Jackson this weekend, he's got to make a decision one way or another by Monday. It's very possible Houston won't know the disposition of its application by then. If Jackson gambles on the Rockets and they don't get their exception, he could be stuck playing for the minimum in Golden State.

That's got to be great grist for NBA conspiracy junkies who maintain the league always favors big market teams like the Knicks.

Of course this could all be moot. The Warriors could very well match any offer for Jackson. So far, San Fran's front office has been silent on the deal and league sources feel the Warriors might not be willing to give Jackson a three year, $10-million deal. But if they are, neither New York, Houston nor Jackson has any recourse. In other words, the Warriors are still in the driver's seat.

That could be good news for Gatling. Cavs GM Jim Paxson told the Akron Beacon Journal that Gatling's other suitor, the Heat, is not interested in signing Gatling for more than the $1-million veteran minimum. Gatling was hoping for a bigger deal, and New York may be his only shot to get it.

Thanks for the Inside scoop Knixkik!

I have some doubts about Gatling. He was a former all-star, but how many teams has he been on over the past 5 years? Kind of tells me is more trouble than he is worth. I don't ever remember him making that big of an impact for any of the teams he played for.

Releasing LJ and signing Gatling with the exception seems like a strong possibility, and I am firmly behind it. This would make me feel a lot better about the team going into training camp.