The most promising prospects in tonight's N.B.A. draft converged in Manhattan yesterday and were whisked around the city for a series of appearances and interviews. A few had more work to do.

T. J. Ford, the Texas point guard, was on the floor with Louisville's Reece Gaines for a workout at Madison Square. Ford was watched carefully by scouts from the Knicks and the Raptors. Maciej Lampe, a forward from Poland who played in Spain last season, then stepped on the court for a second workout. Sitting in the first row was Georgetown's burly power forward Mike Sweetney, his name flashing on the scoreboard, waiting to be interviewed again by the Knicks.

Having the draft in Manhattan has given the Knicks the advantage of having players audition on their home court. On Tuesday night, the Knicks worked out Chris Kaman, a 7-foot center from Central Michigan.

"I think there are a couple other guys we identified that won't be there,'' Knicks General Manager Scott Layden said. "It's this way every year. You just have to prepare for whatever may come.

"We'll be very well-prepared and we'll be ready to make the selection.''