Scott Layden, who has added three points guards over the last two seasons, is trying to move up in the NBA draft so the Knicks can select Texas point guard T.J. Ford, say several league sources.

The Knicks own the ninth pick and it's unlikely that Milwaukee, which selects eighth overall in next week's draft, won't take Ford.

Layden, the Knicks' president, has spoken to the Miami Heat, which owns the fifth pick but might be willing to move down.

His interest in Ford is interesting because the Knicks have three point guards under contract for next season.

But Layden could terminate Charlie Ward's contract for about $2 million starting July 1. Ward is scheduled to earn $6 million next season.