"The Knicks are out of the running for free agent Jamal Crawford, according to an NBA source.

Crawford will decide between Sacramento and Portland. Each has a substantially larger offer on the table than the Knicks' $2.5 million exception. A source said money was the deciding factor. Portland has a two-year, $10 million offer on the table, and Sacramento is believed to have raised its offer to $6.5 million in the first year.

The Knicks have turned to Shawne Williams, according to a source.

The Knicks were in negotiations with Williams' agent, Happy Walters, to use their $2.5 million exception, possibly on a two-year deal.

Williams was a long shot to make the team last season, beat out Patrick Ewing Jr. for 15th man, then soared into the rotation. He played 64 games, averaged 7.1 points and shot a nifty 40.1 percent from 3-point range.

"Shawne made incredible strides last season,'' Amar'e Stoudemire said at Wednesday's practice. "I think hanging around us and learning how to play the game helped him a lot. We definitely want him as a teammate. He's been a phenomenal teammate for us. I'm not sure what's going to happen with him. He's staying in shape and ready in case we do sign him or someone else does.''"