Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports: In possession of a $2.8 million salary-cap exception after the injury-related retirement of center Luc Longley, the Knicks could emerge as a player in the bidding for Heat free-agent forward Anthony Mason and Cavaliers free-agent forward Chris Gatling, a player the Heat also has studied.

In addition, New York, one of the few teams willing to spend beyond the expected luxury-tax threshold of $54 million in team payroll, also has emerged as a player in the free agency of Warriors center Marc Jackson.

However, Mason's agent, Don Cronson, said Wednesday that the $2.8 million is not enough to satisfy his client, who remains steadfast in his desire to be paid at the level of the $4.5 million mid-level salary-cap exception.

New York's greatest need is in the middle. Jackson would best fill that void, but Golden State, with the right of first refusal, could match a potential $2.8 million Knicks offer.

The Knicks had the opportunity to bid for Mason, Gatling or Jackson with their $4.5 million exception but instead opted to extend that full amount to Weatherspoon.