Antonio McDyess is relieved to be out of New York, where his forgettable 18-game stint ended Monday. Before scoring four points for the Suns last night in a 95-87 loss to the Bucks in Milwaukee, McDyess said Knick boss Isiah Thomas came up to him Monday and told him, “I’ve got some bad news. You’ve been traded to Phoenix.”

McDyess said he retorted to Thomas, “What’s the bad news?”

McDyess’ days were numbered the moment Thomas took over, and he knew it. McDyess was told by a reporter Sunday night that Thomas had given him a vote-of-confidence of sorts, telling the media, “We need him, he’s a big part of what we’re doing.” McDyess replied, “I’m surprised he said that.”

Last night, before his first game in a Phoenix uniform, McDyess told the Arizona Republic, “I had a good time the short time I was there. I’m not frustrated by what happened. I knew I’d be traded.”