Apparently the conversation continues.

According to one media outlet, the "Blazers' organization feels Lee's style of play would fit perfectly in Portland" and that the Blazers "are getting serious about trading for David Lee."

While there is no doubt Lee – who is averaging 14.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game – would help solve one of Portland's holes in backing-up LaMarcus Aldridge, the Knicks and Blazers may be further apart in reaching a deal than some might expect.

"Honestly, I don't see them moving Lee this season. Over the summer maybe, but not now," a league source close to the situation in New York told HOOPSWORLD.

"Lee is a key piece (for the Knicks).  Every team in the league asks (Knicks General Manager) Donnie Walsh about him. A sure sign they should hold onto him."

The "talks" between Portland and New York might be ongoing, but it's safe to say they are going nowhere real fast.

Lee will be a free agent at the end of this season, and even though Walsh may be entertaining current offers for his services, the Knicks themselves have not ruled out negotiations in bringing back someone on the verge of posting a career-numbers. Besides, the Blazers may not exactly have the right pieces to entice New York to make a move on Lee. That's why another team - as Newsday's Alahn Hahn reported today - like the Los Angeles Clippers could be involved.

If Walsh opts to trade the fourth-year pro, the criteria will be steep for all teams involved. That is for certain.

"He'd (Walsh) only do it if he got an absolute stud in return or could package him with Jared Jefferies or Eddy Curry. Even in a deal like that they'd need a star in return," the source continued.

The Jeffries-Curry situation would be shaky at best either way for the Blazers - two contracts left that extend past 2010. Even still, who wouldn't be interested in acquiring Lee?

Year in and year out, the 6-9 blue-collar power forward - who moonlights most nights at center for head coach Mike D'Antoni – collects double-doubles (ranks 3rd in the league in that category) more often than people add friends on Facebook. Only New Orleans' Chris Paul and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic have more double-doubles, and in his last 23 games played Lee has notched 20 double-doubles. He is also among league leaders in field-goal percentage (4th at 57%), total rebounds (5th with 339) and rebounds per game (6th). A crowd favorite since the first time he stepped on the floor at Madison Square Garden during the 2005-06 season, it's not farfetched to say complete anarchy would ensue at MSG if Lee were traded.

For a Knicks franchise trying to regain a displaced fan base, letting Lee go during the season would not be a wise move, on or off the court. At 13-19, the Knicks aren't ruled out of a postseason picture just yet, particularly in the Eastern Conference (the Atlanta Hawks, who finished seven games under .500 and made the playoffs last season know all about that) where weirder things have happened.  

"Lee is arguably the Knicks most valuable player."

"I don't buy the rumor."

Sounds like the best move between New York and Portland for David Lee is no move.