Sixers Notes: The Sixers have not talked trading for Amare Stoudemire, a team source says

According to a 76ers source with knowledge of the situation, there have been no talks, preliminary or otherwise, between the Sixers and the New York Knicks regarding a potential trade for New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire.

"No, that's completely false," the source, speaking under conditions of anonymity, said. "There have been no conversations with them about Amar'e."

The source was referring to a report that surfaced over the weekend on CSNPhilly.com. The report said that the 76ers had asked the Knicks about Stoudemire's availability, adding that the Sixers were just doing their due diligence.

The source said that the main reason the Sixers were not interested in Stoudemire was that he can no longer fully insure his surgically repaired left knee. Stoudemire had microsfracture surgery on his left knee while a member of the Phoenix Suns in 2005.

While Stoudemire has performed well since his surgery, the list of players who have had the procedure and not returned to their former level of play includes former Sixer Chris Webber, Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, and Tracy McGrady.

Sixers rookie center Nik Vucevic, who dressed for Monday's game, declared himself ready to go before the Sixers faced the Orlando Magic.

Vucevic, who has been backing up injured starter Spencer Hawes - who missed his eighth game in a row on Monday - has not played since he suffered a left quad/knee strain in the third quarter of the Sixers' 113-92 loss to the Miami Heat on Jan. 21.

Vucevic dressed for the game. But when coach Doug Collins went to his bench early in the game, he replaced starter Tony Battie with Thaddeus Young.

"I'm ready, so if Coach puts me in, I'm ready to go," Vucevic said. "Yesterday I went to PCOM [Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine], and it felt good. Today, I did a full workout at shootaround, and it felt good. And I did one right before tonight's game, and it felt good, so I'm ready."

Hawes (strained left Achilles tendon) continues to get closer to returning. He did some running before the Orlando game and, asked when he would be ready, said, "Very soon."