Having lived in this town all my life there are several certainties when it comes to sports, not one of which ranks higher than what’s happening with the Zach Randolph saga.

When the athlete is subjected to trade rumors in NY, even in the off season, by the time the media comes barking to the player it’s an indicator that said talks are at an advanced stage. No quotes from a player means the rumor is fictitious. Granted Z-Bo hasn’t spoken publicly, but he’s well-aware that he’s being shopped.

What has always interested me is the player’s response, which can be categorized in three reactions.

1. Indifference- “Hey if I get traded I get traded, I can’t worry about it.”
2. Bitterness- “I really wanted to stay here. I love NY and would have loved to finish my career here.”
3. Reality of the Situation- “the NBA is a business, and trades are part of it. I understand that.”

Again, while it appears Randolph has been preparing for his exit, history will show that by the time it gets to this point, where he knows he’s being actively shopped, he should be packing his bags. It’s tough for a team and the player to coexist once the player feels the team is shopping him. You’ll recall D’Antoni singling out Curry and his plans to use him in his offense this summer, but can anyone remember a similar vote of confidence for Z-Bo? All I heard was Walsh saying that Randolph is worth more than what the Clippers were offering. Not exactly a huge example of support, wouldn’t you say?

That silence speaks volumes and leads me to believe 100% that Randolph will be gone in the next few days/weeks.

For Donnie it’s twofold.

• He has Memphis nibbling and can’t let them off the hook.
• Should Z-Bo stay, he’ll be an even bigger distraction on and off the court.

Take Jeremy Shockey for example. Upon learning he’d been shopped he lost his mind, thus dissolving the relationship between player and team.

Jason Kidd was rumored to have forced a trade, and you knew once Dallas started talking a deal would get done as soon after rumors started Kidd became a locker room and on-court distraction.

David Cone with the Mets, Anthony Mason, Mark Jackson, there are a ton of examples of players who’ve dealt with long-winded rumors, just waiting for the other shoe to drop, and to a man they were each eventually moved.

Why? Because there is a “point of no return” that the player/team relationship passes and I believe that just happened with Z-Bo.

There’s simply no turning back.