nypost: The Knicks made one last run at Blazers center Theo Ratliff yesterday and revisited talks with the Lakers for Lamar Odom.
But as expected, the Knicks did not make a move at yesterday's trading deadline, letting Wednesday's Steve Francis acquisition stand as their blockbuster move.
Coach Larry Brown has wanted a shot-blocker, but the Ratliff deal fell through yesterday because of Portland's insistence on rookie David Lee as part of the package.
"You don't make change for the sake of making change," Brown said. "We won't move a [young] guy to satisfy one of our short-term needs. We could've gotten a great defensive rebounder, shot-blocker, but it's what you have to give up."
Knicks president Isiah Thomas has lost faith that center Jerome James will live up to his $30 million contract as the team's shot-blocking presence, at least this season.
Thomas almost humiliated James yesterday when he said, "Everyone on our roster has value except maybe Jerome James because he's been injured so much."
The Knicks also fielded calls from the Sixers, who were willing to pawn off Lee Nailon (they ended up dealing Nailon to the Cavaliers for draft picks).
The Lakers sweetened their Odom package by adding other veterans, but the Knicks wouldn't part with Channing Frye.
Thomas can next pounce again on Draft Night, June 26. Brown already has raised the possibility of packaging the Knicks' two late first-round picks in a trade. The club also has Maurice Taylor, in his expiration year, as a pawn.
On July 1, the Knicks will try to use their $4.9 million mid-level exception on one of three free agents: power forward Reggie Evans or point guards Mike James and Speedy Claxton.
"Whenever someone called, one of our young guys were mentioned," Thomas said. "Other coaches value our young guys. We value them also."
