Although he already has turned over the entire roster in just over two years, Isiah Thomas said he's "embarrassed" by the Knicks' 15-37 record. More change is on the way to give Brown the ingredients he wants.

"I've said from Day 1, 'If the players can't get along with the coach, then the players will have to go,'" Thomas said. "We're not getting rid of the coach. We're riding with the coach. If the players can't adapt, then I've got to go get some other players that can."

Discussing the Knicks' prospects of making a deal or two before the NBA trading deadline at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Thomas said, "As I stand here before you right now, I have zero."

It's not for lack of trying. Asked how many of the other 29 franchises he's contacted, Thomas said, "Twenty-eight." Referring to the Nets, he smiled and added, "It's safe to say I didn't talk to the team across the river."

Thomas repeatedly emphasized his twin aims of adding immediate help without sacrificing the future. That means first-round rookies Channing Frye, Nate Robinson and David Lee are likely to remain.

"By the fact so many people are talking about them and want those guys in trades," Thomas said, "it lets me know we should probably keep those guys."

Second-year small forward Trevor Ariza might not be so safe, especially if the Knicks acquire Portland small forward Darius Miles in a proposed deal that also would include center Theo Ratliff for the expiring contract of Penny Hardaway plus Denver's first-round pick, which belongs to the Knicks. Ariza could be a throw-in for that deal or another being discussed with Orlando for point guard Steve Francis.