Thomas, who has been active since taking over Dec. 22, was in talks last night with the Warriors about a possible deal that would bring center Erick Dampier and guard Nick Van Exel to New York for Kurt Thomas, Dikembe Mutombo and Shandon Anderson.

Van Exel would serve as insurance for Allan Houston and would be a backup to point guard Stephon Marbury. Dampier would replace Mutombo as the Knicks' starting center. Thomas' wheeling and dealing has to stop today, when the trading deadline arrives at 3 p.m.

When reporters were let into practice yesterday, Thomas could be seen in his office, talking on the phone. But he declined several interview requests, saying through a spokesman that he would talk only after the deadline passes. But Thomas did find time for a 20-minute radio interview, leaving it to Lenny Wilkens to handle all questions regarding possible trades.

"I don't think we're banging peoples' doors down, saying: 'We want to make a deal,' " the Knicks coach said. "But you have to hear."