Andy Miller, agent for Antonio McDyess, warned Knick fans not to count out his client just yet.

Miller won't project when McDyess will return to action and how much he'll participate in training camp that begins with the first veterans' practice Oct. 3. But Miller reports his client's rehab from left knee surgery - done mostly in Houston - is going smoothly.

"Things are going well," said Miller, who spoke to McDyess Thursday. "I don't care about what people are projecting, because 99 percent of times it doesn't come to fruition. All I'll confirm is he's doing well and he's speaking in a positive tone and doesn't have a morbid outlook. His spirits seem very high right now and I just spoke to him."

Quietly, there's been a spike in optimism inside the organization on McDyess' rehab, though the Knicks haven't publicly given an update in more than four months or set a timetable for his return.

Knicks public relations director Joe Favorito said the club would have an update "shortly before training camp begins" on whether McDyess will participate in any team drills, though it seems a longshot he'll play the preseason schedule.

"Personally, I'm extremely optimistic, but I'm not a doctor," Miller said. "Antonio wishes he had all the answers, too. He's frustrated too and wants to know the same answers everyone is asking."