Scott Layden is at it again. Using yet another lottery pick as trade bait, Layden, the Knicks' president and general manager, is trying to swing a draft-night deal to return the Knicks to Eastern Conference contention.

Drafting a youngster and waiting for him to develop while the Knicks linger in mediocrity apparently does not appeal to him.

Layden has spoken with several teams, including Toronto and Miami, about trading the Knicks' selection, No. 9, for the No. 4 or 5 pick. Ideally, the Knicks would like to trade for a veteran and draft either Chris Bosh, a 6-11 forward from Georgia Tech, or T. J. Ford, the superquick point guard from Texas.

"If we can get a nice seasoned veteran with experience and some young players to go along with him and develop, that would be ideal," Coach Don Chaney said today.

Naturally, the Knicks are offering Latrell Sprewell, whom they shopped vigorously over the past two seasons. The Knicks spoke with Toronto about a deal in which Sprewell and their No. 9 pick would go to the Raptors for Jerome Williams, Lamond Murray and the No. 4 pick, but those talks have stalled.