For the last two months, Knicks' president Isiah Thomas has been trying to work a sign-and-trade with Golden State to land center Erick Dampier.  This week Thomas is expected to talk with Dampier and his agent Dan Fegan, in a last-ditch effort to make a deal.

Many sources say that Dampier will not be able to pass up on the four-year, $40-million offer that the Hawks are offering.  Thomas will be trying to convince Dampier to take a mid-level exception, starting at around $5 million per season.

If the Knicks fail to land Dampier, they may be forced to use the sluggish Baker at center, giving them few options for defending against Shaqille O'Neal in Miami.  

Baker is expected to sign within the next two days.