TRADE RUMORS SCARE, FLATTER KNICKS' DAVID LEE

BY ALAN HAHN

LAS VEGAS - It would be akin to a badge of honor for those Knicks
players who lived through the worst of times to be around when this
franchise finally finds long-lost success. Perhaps they'll hand out
T-shirts that read: "I Survived the Isiah Thomas Era."

David Lee, whose name has come up the most in trade rumors, probably
would like to have one.

"I'd love to be part of this when it turns around," Lee said, "because
I've earned the right to be part of it when it turns around after all
the stuff we've been through the last few years as a team."

Ironically, one of the most popular and widely respected players of
the Blunder Years happens to be the one most likely to be among the
casualties of the need for change. But if he is traded, Lee knows it's
not because he isn't wanted. In fact, it's because he is wanted.

"I definitely love New York and love playing for the Knicks, but
unfortunately, this is out of my hands," he said yesterday while the
summer league team practiced here. "Right now, teams are calling and
saying, 'If you want to make your franchise better, we need to get
David Lee along with whomever you're trying to get rid of.'

"If that's something that has to happen, you'd be dumb not to
entertain the offers or at least listen to it. It's a compliment, but
at the same time, it makes my summer a little shaky not knowing what's
going to happen."

Lee said his biggest hurdle was getting through draft night without
being traded. A deal was discussed that would have sent him to the
Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Memphis' fifth overall pick and
forward Brian Cardinal. Donnie Walsh wanted this deal because the
Knicks were trying to get into the top five for a shot at guard O.J.
Mayo. A report said Lee killed the trade when he informed the
Grizzlies that he would not be interested in signing a contract
extension when he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

Lee denied he said anything of the sort, but it isn't unlike his
agent, Mark Bartelstein, to get that type of message across to a team.
Bartelstein represents Devean George, who temporarily halted the Jason
Kidd trade to the Mavericks when he exercised his no-trade to the
Nets. The Mavericks had to rework the deal so George wasn't included.

Walsh said last week that there was a lot of trade talk that involved
Lee during the draft but that things have quieted down since. It is
possible that the Knicks will keep Lee, but the 25-year-old power
forward knows other moves have to be made in order for him to get the
contract extension he's seeking before next summer. For instance, if
the Knicks can move Zach Randolph's salary, it bodes well for Lee.

"A lot of that stuff is going to depend on what happens this summer
with the guys we have that make a lot of money," Lee said. "Once
again, there's going to be a lot of shifting in the roster . . . I'm
kind of at the bottom of the totem pole. There's going to be changes
at the top. What ends up happening will trickle down to what happens
with me. I'll be honest with you, I don't know as much about this
stuff as I probably should."

While he awaits his fate, Lee has decided to hold off on buying a
place in Central Park West. He has continued his usual community work
this summer, though. This week he will run a basketball camp in Dobbs
Ferry. He also has worked with corporate sponsors to pay for one
thousand tickets to the Liberty's WNBA outdoor game against Indiana on
Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Notes & quotes: Jamal Crawford arrived yesterday to watch practice and
have a sit-down with Mike D'Antoni, who plans to make Crawford a major
part of his offense. Crawford said changing the roster will be
necessary for the team to move on from past issues. "As bad as it was
the past couple of years as far as losing and things that have
happened," he said, "sometimes change is good." . . . Fans can get
their first look at rookie Danilo Gallinari when the Knicks' summer
league team begins play at 4 p.m. today on MSG Network.