Marc Berman of the New York Post is reporting that while the Knicks have no interest in bring back team icon Patrick Ewing for a retirement tour, GM Scott Layden has tried to convince Portland free-agent center Arvydas Sabonis to make his NBA comeback in the Big Apple.

The Knicks, however, will most likely end up losers in the Sabonis sweepstakes despite a heavy pursuit of the European big man, Sabonis' agent Herb Rudoy indicating that Sabonis will most likely be re-joining the Trail Blazers this week.

Portland still retain his bird rights after Sabonis sat out last season and have offered him a deal over the mid-level exception, starting at more than $6M.  The contract is expected to be for either one or two years.

"Scott has asked me a lot over the last year what Sabonis is going to do," Rudoy said. "Scott really kept on top of it, called me more than half-dozen times. But every time I mentioned New York to Sabonis, he said he just wanted to play in Portland."

Layden thinks Ewing can still make a contribution but if he's going to add to his payroll, he wants a player capable of making a bigger difference, according to a source.