Veteran power forward Maurice Taylor will fly from his home in Houston to New York today but realizes his stay may be very brief. Taylor said he and his reps have discussed a buyout the past two weeks and it could be done before Monday's training camp.

"I'm hoping to get something done quick," Taylor told The Post. "[The Knicks] don't have any plans for me. They thought a buyout would be good for me too. It's 50-50."

Taylor's expiring contract has $9 million left and is expiring, meaning he's a definite trade pawn at the deadline.

"All I want is a fair shake, and my reps have talked to other teams," Taylor said. "I'm not in their future plans."