Jalen Rose has not been part of the Knicks rotation, and isn't a part of their future, either. The only question remaining is how long until the tie is formally cut. It could happen in a couple of days, based on signals given by Isiah Thomas.

Rose, who has seen only token minutes all preseason, didn't play against the Nets Friday night, and wasn't even at the Knicks open practice yesterday at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

A smile and a wave were all Thomas could muster when asked if Rose was still going to be a member of the team. If he's not, the most likely scenario is that the Knicks could be negotiating buyout of his contract, which has one year and $16.9 million remaining.

A Knicks spokesman said Rose wasn't at practice yesterday because of "personal reasons," but did not elaborate. When asked yesterday if Rose would be a part of the rotation, Thomas indicated something was brewing.

"I'll let you know in a couple of days," he said.