Erick Dampier flew to Salt Lake City to talk to the Hawks' brass, including GM Billy Knight and VP Dominique Wilkins.

Knicks president Isiah Thomas is awaiting these discussions, hoping finally to upgrade his team's roster.

Because they're offering Dampier more money right now, the Knicks appear in solid position to land the Warriors' 6-foot-11 unrestricted free agent, a big and talented body to throw up against Shaquille O'Neal in the East.

The Hawks are under the salary cap and could still trump the Knicks' offer with a $74.1 million deal.  But the sense it that they will not.  

It's uncertain if a sign-and-trade deal is in place for Dampier.  Mullin said that the Knicks are not the only team he's talking to:  "We're talking to several other teams. When something becomes clear, we're going to regroup and move from there."