Keith Van Horn's college coach believes the much-maligned Philadelphia forward can resurrect his career in New York.
"I don't want sound like a Little League parent, but Keith had some of his best years when he didn't have (Stephon) Marbury and (Allen) Iverson," said Rick Majerus, the University of Utah coach. "Those are two great players but they can be hard to play with because they monopolize the ball.

"Keith is a pick-and-pop, pick-and-roll player. I think he would fit in with New York."

The Knicks continue to work on a trade for Van Horn, who spent his first five seasons with the Nets until being traded last summer. Sixers GM Billy King has denied that Kurt Thomas and Charlie Ward are part of a potential deal.

The San Antonio Express-News reported yesterday that the Knicks, Spurs and Sixers were discussing a three-way trade that would send the 6-10 Van Horn to the Knicks, Latrell Sprewell to San Antonio and Malik Rose plus another player, perhaps Charlie Ward, to Philadelphia.

The Knicks, citing club policy, refused to comment on possible trades.

The same deal was talked about prior to last February's trading deadline. The Knicks have tried to obtain Manu Ginobili from the Spurs for Sprewell but San Antonio maintains that Ginobili is untouchable.

Ginobili, however, will become a free agent next summer and the Spurs can only offer him the mid-level exception. Golden State is facing a similar predicament with Gilbert Arenas, who is expected to sign elsewhere for more money than the Warriors can offer him.

Since last summer, Knicks president Scott Layden has been trying to trade Sprewell, who has two years left on his contract worth approximately $26 million. If Layden can deal for Van Horn without having to give up Thomas, that would prevent the Knicks from having to find a starting center.