With the Knicks still trying to move Charlie Ward, they have contacted the representatives for San Antonio free agent point guard Avery Johnson.

The Spurs are going to let Johnson walk and go with Terry Porter. Johnson has drawn interest from Miami, Denver and Atlanta. According to Johnson’s agent, Tony Dutt, Johnson already has been offered the mid-level exception of $4.5 million by a couple of teams. Johnson is seeking a three-year deal.

The Knicks have told Johnson’s rep that they have to go through a couple of different scenarios before being able to make an offer. The Knicks also have interest in Seattle point guard Shammond Williams. Johnson, though, is a veteran at age 36 and had a fine series in beating the Knicks in the Finals in 1999.

“He’d definitely have interest there,” Dutt said. “It would be a good situation [if they made a move].”

Meanwhile, there was little movement on the Chris Webber front. He is expected to meet with Kings officials first before deciding if he wants to make any recruiting visits.

More than a dozen teams have contacted Webber, including the Knicks. Webber met with his family members yesterday in Detroit to plan a strategy.

In an interview in the Sacramento Bee, he said he has made no final decision on staying put.

“Right now I’m in the same position as I’ve been in,” Webber said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I know I want to get away, maybe go to Jamaica and think about it. Pray on my decision.”

If Webber goes off the Knicks’ radar, they will have no choice but to re-sign Allan Houston, possibly to the maximum six-year deal. Agent Bill Strickland is expected to have a face-to-face meeting with Scott Layden Friday to begin negotiations.

Once Houston is signed, the Knicks would be able to trade him either three months after the signing or Dec. 15 – whichever date is later.