Knicks GM Scott Layden has made several inquiries to the Rockets about trading up for the first overall pick in hopes of stealing center Yao Ming, but has been unable to get as far as making an offer.

Houston GM Carroll Dawson is telling most teams he’s not willing to trade the pick. Dawson admitted that could change if a red flag arises as they do their Ming homework. The Rockets want a signed letter from the Chinese government promising Ming won’t be pulled back to the national team for an event during the regular season or playoffs.

“I’ve spoken to Scott several times, but I’ve told him we’re not looking to trade the pick, we’re going full speed ahead with Yao,” Dawson said. “I don’t want the GMs to waste their breath. I’m not rude. I tell them we want to use the pick. And there’s nothing out there to knock our socks off.”

The Knicks have little to offer. A package of Marcus Camby and the No. 7 pick is not compelling to Dawson. The Rockets also need a small forward, but view Latrell Sprewell as a shooting guard.

Layden and his staff head to Chicago today for the start of this week’s pre-draft camp, but the lottery candidates will not participate.

Maryland power forward Chris Wilcox will be on hand to be measured and weighed and the Knicks plan to interview him. Drew Gooden is expected to workout with the Knicks after the workout moratorium ends June 11. Mike Dunleavy is waffling on whether to withdraw; if he does, it would end Wilcox’s chances of falling to seven.