The Knicks appear committed to drafting Texas point guard T.J. Ford and deporting Latrell Sprewell. One could very well lead to the other.
Sprewell has been available for the past 13 months and his status hasn't changed as the Knicks get ready to enter Thursday's NBA draft. Knicks president Scott Layden has talked to both the Raptors and Heat about swapping draft positions and players.

Toronto and Miami will select fourth and fifth, respectively. The Knicks own the ninth overall selection.

There have been rumors about Sprewell and Miami's Eddie Jones being included in a deal. Another theory has Sprewell going to Toronto for a pair of average backups, Jerome Williams and Lamond Murray. In both scenarios the Knicks would move up in the draft and then select Ford.

"Scott is no fool," one league official said. "If he's trading Latrell he knows he has to get an All-Star caliber player in return. Otherwise, he'd be run out of town."

Toronto is looking for a veteran player to complement Vince Carter, which is why Sprewell would be a perfect fit. The same league official believes that Sprewell could be dealt to the Raptors if the Knicks were to receive center Antonio Davis in return.