Tracy McGrady, nicknamed T-Mac, was dealt to the New York Knicks this week in a three-team deal involving multiple players from New York, the Sacramento Kings, and the Houston Rockets.

"I have tremendous respect for [owner] Leslie Alexander and have enjoyed playing for the Rockets over the last six years," McGrady wrote. "It has definitely been the most profound part of my career. I've learned a lot about myself from various situations, both good and bad that have occurred here. It was my hope when I came to Houston that I wouldn't leave, but I do understand this is the business side of basketball."

In December, T-Mac was given an indefinite leave from the Rockets after his camp and the team's management agreed to work together to deal him to another team.

The player had differences with the team over lowered minutes as he returned from microfracture knee surgery. He has averaged just 7.7 minutes in his six appearances this season.

T-Mac is a seven-time NBA All-Star. He was drafted the ninth overall pick of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors, and has played for the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets, before landing at New York this week.

Aside from McGrady, the Knicks picked up Sergio Rodriguez from Sacramento; the Rockets got big-time scoring guard Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong from Sacramento, and Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries from New York; and the Kings got New York's Larry Hughes, and Houston's Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey.

Houston also got the rights to swap first-round picks with New York in 2011, and the Rockets also get New York's 2012 first-round pick.

According to NBA.com, the deal will put the Knicks $30 million below the salary cap, freeing up enough cap room to make reasonable offers to at least two major free agents this summer. Stars possibly available in free agency include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Joe Johnson.

The Knicks have not been below the salary cap since 1996, when they signed free agents Allan Houston and Chris Childs, according to ESPN.

Next season, the Knicks will have four players under contract: forwards Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, guard Toney Douglas and center Eddy Curry, whom the Knicks were unable to deal.

Also on Thursday (February 18), the Knicks dealt guard Nate Robinson -- who just won his third Sprite Slam Dunk title -- and a second player to Boston for Eddie House, Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens.