"Tyson Chandler, whose defense and grit helped deliver a championship in Dallas, is close to joining the Knicks, two people involved in the talks said Thursday. The deal faces some hurdles, however.

To meet Chandler's contract demands — about $58 million over four years — the Knicks must create salary-cap room, by unloading the veterans Chauncey Billups and Ronny Turiaf. The Knicks are looking for teams with cap space to absorb their contracts.

If the Knicks cannot trade Billups, they will use the N.B.A.'s new amnesty provision to remove his $14.2 million salary from the payroll. Billups would still earn the full amount and would be placed on waivers. "