A potential deal by the Knicks for Boston's Antoine Walker would include Kurt Thomas and would create more minutes for Mike Sweetney, their first-round draft pick, a league source said yesterday.

Scott Layden, the Knicks president, spoke recently to Boston's new general manager Danny Ainge about Walker, whose name surfaces in trade rumors every summer.

Last week, Ainge said that no one on his roster "is untouchable." Ainge is looking to cut the Celtics payroll and Walker is scheduled to earn $28 million over the next two years. Walker can opt out of his contract next summer.

The Knicks would be willing to trade Thomas and Charlie Ward, whose contract is up after this season, but Boston is looking for equal value for Walker, a two-time All-Star.

Layden is not about to wait all summer for the Celtics to make a decision. That's why on Friday morning, the day after the NBA draft, Layden tried to peddle Thomas to Seattle for small forward Vladimir Radmanovic but was rebuffed, according to a Western Conference GM.

Dallas is looking to add toughness and has expressed interest in Thomas. Layden, who is in the market for a center, could be swayed to move Thomas for 7-6 Shawn Bradley.