According to a Knicks official, Isiah Thomas has told Allan Houston, Shandon Anderson, Penny Hardaway, and Moochie Norris that they were being left unprotected in the expansion draft later this month.

Houston, whose left knee hobbled him throughout the season and might require surgery, has a contract that will pay him $47 million over the next three years, including $17.5 million next season.

Hardaway and Anderson carry contracts that exceed their value. Moochie Norris has three years and $12.7 million remaining. The Knicks must also decide what to do with Cezary Trybanski, Dikembe Mutombo and Othella Harrington for the final spot - all three possessing trade value.