The Knicks are set to swap picks with the Bulls as part of the Eddy Curry trade.  The team will give Chicago the ninth pick and New York would select at number 23 in the upcoming 2007 draft.

Isiah Thomas will speak to the media this week at the NBA's pre-draft camp, for the first time since the 2006-2007 season ended.

Thomas could try to include the pick in a deal for an established player.  Jermaine O'Neal, Pau Gasol, Rashard Lewis and even Kevin Garnett may be available.  But several people with knowledge of the situation say that Thomas is not very optimistic that he will be able to complete that kind of deal.  

That means the basketball world may be witness to another surprise Thomas selection.

6-7 swingman Derrick Byars of Vanderbilt and the 6-10 power forwards Josh McRoberts of Duke and Sean Williams of Boston College appear to be on Isiah's list.  Each will be invited to attend private workouts at the MSG Training Center next month.

Byars was the SEC player of the year and emerged from anonymity to develop into a projected first-round pick.

McRoberts is a versatile and tough big man who could grow next to Curry in the frontcourt.  

Williams is criticized for limited basketball IQ and off-the-court problems but has Renaldo Balkman-like athletic  gifts as well as a talent for shot-blocking.

New York is expected to have a busy off-season, with the potential of teams shopping the aforementioned all-star talent and the Knicks' need to figure out what to do with Steve Francis.