The New York Knicks are holding off on the Quinten Richardson/Kurt Thomas trade after the Phoenix Suns failed to furnish insurance papers on Richardson, specifically in regard to a back injury he sustained while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, a paranoia no doubt coming as a result of the Allan Houston debacle.

The back injury caused Richardson to miss 17 games in the 2003-04 season while with the Clippers.

The Knicks were still waiting for the paperwork as of Friday.  Without the insurance papers in their hands the deal will not go through.

Knicks officials have declined to comment publicly on the proposed deal, and yesterday, Isiah Thomas, the team president, cancelled a scheduled conference call with reporters for a second straight day.