The ankle injury that will keep Renaldo Balkman out all of training camp and possibly the first two weeks of the regular season has opened the door for the Knicks to bring Allan Houston to Charleston, S.C., for a tryout, according to sources.

Despite having 17 contracts, two over the limit, the Knicks have become a leading candidate to land Houston, as they believe they owe the 36-year-old a crack at making the team. The Knicks, a weak outside shooting club last season, appear willing to give Houston guaranteed money to report to training camp. No contract has been signed, according to a source.

The Nets have offered a non-guaranteed contract to Houston, but Nets president Rod Thorn said yesterday he has heard the Knicks have offered Houston guaranteed money. Should Houston get a guaranteed deal, the Nets likely would be out of the running.