nypost: If this were two years ago when Thomas had carte blanche to pull the trigger on any move, the Knicks would have made the Jalen Rose- for-Penny Hardaway swap with Toronto when it was first reported last month. The Raptors are eager to make the deal and get Hardaway's expiring contract to help clear cap space this summer.
But two league sources said that Garden owner James Dolan wants Knicks brass to be more "fiscally responsible." Dolan does not want to add much more to his already league-high payroll for this non-playoff team unless the acquisitions are difference-makers.
Rose has an extra year left on his contract, so it would cost Dolan $34 million extra in salary and luxury tax. While Rose, 32, can still score, scouts say he's one of the league's worst defenders.
One Knick decision-maker told The Post in November that it would be "crazy" to take Rose as is. A league official said the Knicks were still seeking more assets, including a first-round pick.
Sports Illustrated mentioned that the Knicks want $3 million thrown in — which would be the first time in recent memory the club has asked for cash.
