The Knicks couldn't land the big man they wanted by Thursday's trade deadline, but they may add one of the greatest centers ever to their payroll.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time scoring leader, could join the Knicks in a scout/player development capacity. The creator of the fabled skyhook was at Thursday's practice, helping out in post-up drills with Tim Thomas, Nazr Mohammed, Mike Sweetney, and Cezary Trybanski.

Knicks' president Isiah Thomas invited Abdul-Jabbar to practice. When Thomas was the Pacers' coach, he helped him out on occasion, working with big men. Abdul-Jabbar, who hasn't worked in the NBA since serving as an assistant coach with the Clippers from February-July of 2000, "hopes" he's given a permanent position. Thomas said there have been "preliminary" discussions.

"I know he's a guy that wants to get back in the game, and is trying to get back in the game," Thomas said. "We'll sit down and talk to him and see if it makes sense to have him in the organization."