Latrell Sprewell has lobbied Knicks management for a big post-up player to dump the ball inside and take heat off the perimeter. Antonio McDyess was supposed to be that guy last season. But no one can say for sure whether McDyess will ever be able to patrol the Knicks' post without his left kneecap exploding.

So that is why the Knicks were so desperate to arrange an 8 p.m. workout for Central Michigan 7-foot center Chris Kaman last night. That is why the Knicks are crossing their fingers this true back-to-the-basket center drops to the No. 9 spot in tomorrow night's NBA Draft. They already know 6-10 power forward Chris Bosh won't be there at nine.

Kaman has few workouts to the No. 6 Clippers, No. 5 Miami and No. 4 Toronto. Last night, Raptors new head coach Kevin O'Neill and their scouts flew in to Westchester and was permitted to watch the Kaman workout. Ironically, the Knicks and Raptors discussed swapping picks, with Sprewell heading to Canada. The Raptors reportedly were closing in on a deal with No. 12 Seattle but O'Neill said it was "looking at all possibilities."

O'Neill, the former Knick assistant and Marquette coach, said his past relationship with Sprewell was no factor.

"I've known him for a long time, he used to play pick-up games at our gym in Milwaukee but don't read anything into that," O'Neill said.