Miller, Johnson and maybe Amare first on deck

 Mike D'Antoni is in Los Angeles to open the NBA free agency period tonight (9:01 p.m. PT) and the plan, according to a source, is to first meet with versatile sharp-shooter Mike Miller. Then D'Antoni is expected to get time with Joe Johnson, who reportedly will already have a home team full max offer (six years, $119M) from the Atlanta Hawks, who clearly want to keep him.

 Multiple sources have indicated to me that the Knicks are prepared to also offer Johnson a full max (five years, $92M) and the potential to team up with LeBron James, whom D'Antoni will meet, with Donnie Walsh, Thursday afternoon in Northeast Ohio. The obvious knocks against the Knicks in the free agency sweepstakes is their mostly empty roster, which is not considered championship-caliber. It's obvious the Knicks are trying to make every effort to show up for their chat with LeBron sporting a little more talent.

UPDATED: 10:20 p.m. -- Amar'e Stoudemire could be added to the list of players the Knicks will meet with tonight in Los Angeles. Multiple sources said plans were in place for D'Antoni and the Knicks contingent to speak with Stoudemire, though nothing was set.

Miller's ability to pass the ball and stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting are major assets that compliment James' game. But one thing to keep in mind is that Miller made $9.7M last season with the Wizards and would clearly need to take a paycut - a hefty one - if the Knicks still wanted to have enough room to lure two max players.

Stay tuned....