Don Chaney met again with Kurt Thomas yesterday and came away confident that his disgruntled power forward was on board with his new role as a backup.

Of course, the coach probably failed to mention to Thomas that over the past 72 hours, the team has intensified its efforts to trade him. That one small detail is vital because the Knicks, who are 9-17 heading into tonight's game in Toronto, are more desperate than ever to make a move.

The usual suspects - Chicago, Golden State, Toronto, Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto - have been contacted. The Knicks would prefer a point guard, and either the Warriors' Nick Van Exel or Jamal Crawford of the Bulls would satisfy that requirement. Atlanta's Jason Terry, a shooting guard in a point guard's body, is definitely available.

Thomas has expressed his disappointment and has hinted that he may ask the Knicks for a trade. Chaney, however, said that the feeling he gets from Thomas is that the forward has "accepted" his role.

"I don't care what he says to you guys," Chaney said to reporters. "I only care what he tells me."