"Isiah Thomas' signature trade, acquiring Stephon Marbury from the Phoenix Suns six years ago - continues to be the trade that keeps on giving ... for everyone other than the Knicks.

Included in the Marbury deal was a lottery-protected first-round pick that the Suns eventually traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the Tom Gugliotta deal. Next year, however, the pick is unprotected, so if the Knicks fail to reach the playoffs they will be handing over a lottery pick to Utah.

"I found out about that as I was going through the process (of being hired last year)," says Knicks president Donnie Walsh. "We don't have a pick. But I'd like to have one."

The Knicks do own a first-round pick in this year's draft and barring a miracle turnaround they will be drafting in the lottery. Walsh, according to sources, will try to acquire another first-round pick either this year or next season - and he may be able to land one in a sign-and-trade for either David Lee or Nate Robinson."