KNICK NOTES

With Travis Knight activated before last night’s game, the Knicks’ urgency to sign a big man to a 10-day deal lessened. The Knicks will wait after the All-Star break to make a move if they make a move at all.

“We’ve considered every big man that’s available,” Chaney said. “We don’t have great pickings out there. You don’t want to bring in a guy just for the sake of bringing him in. If you have a player who can get into the rotation, but just getting a guy just for size if he doesn’t play . . .

“We’ll do it if there’s a player talent-wise better than what we have. We’re not going to make a lateral move.”

Fact is, the Knicks have been very pleased with Knight’s play before he injured his knee Jan. 8. Knight had surgery to repair torn cartilage Jan. 16 and was diagnosed to miss six weeks. He’s three weeks ahead of schedule.

One new big man to become available is Leon Smith, cut Monday after two 10-day contracts with Atlanta. The Knicks had some interest in him last month but the 21-year-old was looking for more playing time.

The Knicks also have shown some interest in A.C. Green. Though Chaney loves Otis Thorpe and coached him to an All-Star Berth in 1991, he is 39 and Knick brass is concerned he’s not in shape.

The Knicks are concerned about Olden Polynice’s legal raps. Former St. John’s big man Shawnelle Scott worked out with the Knicks over the summer but he’s also been inactive.

*

Allan Houston, who scored game-high 40 points in 112-110 loss to Clippers last night, says the Nets can win the East.

“The way they’re playing now, sure,” Houston said. “You can’t say if they’ll be playing this way in April. But if they are and dominating, they have to be the favorites. And they have a style tough to beat in the playoffs.

“They’re going to be legitimate. What they’ve done is they’ve established confidence and an identity. That’s what could carry you in the playoffs. That makes them legitimate title contenders.”