Greg Logan writes that ignoring calls from some quarters to tear down the Knicks' bloated salary structure and start over, Layden traded injury-prone center Marcus Camby to Denver for All-Star power forward Antonio McDyess during the NBA draft last night at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden. It's a move geared toward making an immediate turnaround after missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons.

The deal almost was sidetracked when McDyess at first refused to make any promises about not exercising the opt-out clause in his contract after next season. It has two years to run at $12.6 million next season and $13.5 million in 2003-04. The trade wasn't completed until about five minutes before the Knicks had to pick, but agent Andy Miller said, "I anticipate [McDyess] will have a long career in New York."

As part of the deal, the Knicks used the seventh pick to select Brazilian forward Maybyner (Nene) Hilario for the Nuggets. They also unloaded 37-year-old point guard Mark Jackson and the final two years of his contract. They received the 25th pick in the first round from the Nuggets, who used it to draft Illinois point guard Frank Williams for the Knicks.