Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports that both the Nets and the Knicks are stepping up their efforts to land free agents. The Knicks are trying to bolster their front court with Cleveland?s Michael Doleac while the Nets want to sign a quality backup point guard in Toronto?s Chris Childs.

The Nets are close to a deal with Childs and could announce a contract as early as this week. It is expected that he will sign for two years and about $3.5 million.

The Knicks aren?t as close to a deal, but according to league sources, talks between the team and the 6-11 center are heating up and moving into the serious stage. Doleac is expected to be in New York for a ?recruiting trip? later this week.

"It's going fine. I'm optimistic Michael would be a real good fit if it were to happen," Doleac's agent, Glen Schwartzman, said yesterday. "We're still talking and I'll really have a better feel for matters [today]."