Last week, Donnie Walsh insisted that he’d only make trades before the deadline if they’d benefit this year’s team and didn’t affect their future salary cap. But the Knicks have now lost six of eight — including a 128–78 disaster Sunday against Dallas — and their playoff chances aren’t looking so good anymore. (Next up is 9–36 Minnesota, tonight at the Garden.) Still, Walsh isn’t giving up yet. With the trade deadline roughly three weeks away — and with Walsh privately admitting that last year’s acquisitions of Larry Hughes and Chris Wilcox backfired — the Knicks’ president will meet with his scouting department this week to discuss their options. He wouldn’t say for sure that they’d make a move, but if they do, the plan still appears to involve making a non-panicked trade to acquire an expiring contract that will improve this year’s team. So, you know, good luck with all that. [NYP]