Gary Payton appears to be headed to the Lakers while Jason Kidd is mulling a move to San Antonio and Karl Malone is thinking about re-locating in Dallas.

The free agent season is definitely here and the cap-strapped Knicks are nowhere to be found.

"We're always looking at the free agent list, and talking to agents and players," Knicks president Scott Layden said yesterday. "In time I'm sure we'll have players visit. We'll have something scheduled this summer."

Layden can obtain free agents either through a sign-and-trade or by using the Knicks' $4.8 million exception. Although Payton is prepared to accept the Lakers' mid-level exception, the top centers available ? Brad Miller, Rasho Nesterovic or Michael Olowokandi ? are looking to strike it rich on the free-agent market, leaving the Knicks with little or no hope of landing any of them.

The Knicks are in a difficult position because they can not offer free agents lucrative contracts or, as in the case with Payton, an opportunity to play for a contender.

Layden's best chance of upgrading the roster is through a deal. The two Knicks mentioned most prominently in trade talks are Latrell Sprewell and Kurt Thomas.