Posted Dec 19 2009 9:30PM
NEW YORK (NBA.com staff reports) -- The New York Knicks say the agent for Nate Robinson has asked the team to trade the recently benched guard.


A team spokesman says the request was made Saturday and that team president Donnie Walsh will have discussions with Robinson's agent, Aaron Goodwin.
"Yes, I have [requested the trade] because coach has not played him, does not plan to play him and does not want him on the team," Goodwin wrote in an email.
Robinson, a productive backup last season, hasn't played in the last eight games. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni insists the benching isn't personal, only that he wants to use the players who give the team the best chance to win and that Robinson currently isn't one of them.
"Nate Robinson, tight rotation, not quite ready yet," D'Antoni said Friday before the team's win over the Clippers. "That's just the way it is and I can't explain exactly every second the ins and outs. We were on a roll and that roll just doesn't quit just because you lose a game."
Robinson is averaging only 10.9 points after scoring a career-best 17.2 per game last season. The two-time slam dunk champion re-signed with the Knicks on a one-year deal this summer after generating little interest as a restricted free agent.
Adam Zagoria contributed information to this report.


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