Marc Berman writes that for the first time in at least a dozen years, the Knicks are considering not raising ticket prices next season.

Last summer, according to a study by The Post's Kevin Kernan, the Knicks raised ticket prices between 7-to-8 percent after losing in the first round. Celebrity-row seats were even raised $100 bucks - from $1,500 to $1,600. Yesterday, the Memphis franchise announced its ticket prices would remain the same next season.

A freeze would be a tremendous publicity move for a franchise headed toward the lottery and potential reconstruction. It also may be a reaction to the 1,000-to-2,000 empty seats seen. The Knicks still continue to announce sell-outs, claiming the tickets are bought. A waiting list for season tickets contains 7,000 names. The Knicks, who posses the league's highest payroll ($85.3M), have a league-high streak of 426 home sellouts dating to February, 1993.