With Thursday's trading deadline looming, the Knicks and Hawks are creeping closer toward a deal involving Nazr Mohammed and Michael Doleac, confirm sources on both sides of the negotiation. A third team is in the midst of being recruited to complete a transaction that promises to escalate into something considerably more significant.

The Nuggets and Raptors appeared to be with the program last week, but that's no longer the case. Denver VP Kiki Vandeweghe wants Kurt Thomas vs. Doleac or Othella Harrington, plus a couple of second-round draft picks for Rodney White. Meanwhile, Toronto VP Glen Grunwald was ordered by superiors not to acquire any players under contract past this season; so much for getting Harrington, who makes $3.1 million for '04-'05, or Christian Laettner from Washington for Michael Curry, Michael Bradley and Mo Peterson.

Should Isiah Thomas be unable to manipulate the appropriate strings by Feb. 19 there's a remote possibility recovering alcoholic Vin Baker will be given yet another unearned opportunity to exploit the system. Don't ask me why! For the past five or six years Baker has done nothing but rob employers, teammates and fans of beaucoup bucks, desperately needed support and a worthy effort while making pathetic pledges of redemption.