Chandler expected to sign with Knicks

The Knicks got bigger, but their chances of eventually landing All-Star guard Chris Paul may have gotten smaller.

Tyson Chandler, the top center available in free agency, plans to sign with the Knicks, according to multiple sources, in a deal that could be finalized by the weekend. The NBA's free-agency signing period begins Friday.

Terms of the deal were not known, but the 7-1, 235-pound Chandler, an All-Defensive second-team selection last season with the champion Mavericks, reportedly is seeking four years and $58 million.

Chandler would be a much- needed defensive anchor in a Knicks frontcourt with All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.

The deal, however, will eat up a large chunk of the salary-cap space that had been preserved for Paul, who can opt out next summer and become a free agent. A provision in the new collective-bargaining agreement, which was officially ratified by the players and approved by the owners Thursday, does allow players to restructure deals, so there is a chance Paul can be in play if Anthony and Stoudemire agree to help make some room.

Paul was thought to be off the market after the Hornets Thursday agreed in principle to trade him to the Lakers in a three-team blockbuster. But the NBA, which manages the Hornets as the franchise seeks an owner, nixed the deal. League spokesman Tim Frank said the NBA rejected it "for basketball reasons.''

The NBA lifted the lockout Thursday afternoon, and training camp will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at MSG Training Center. But the Knicks' roster is likely to be incomplete.

One player who will not be there is guard Chauncey Billups, who left New York Thursday to return to his suburban Denver home after being told he will be jettisoned as a means of creating salary-cap space to sign Chandler. Billups, who just arrived Wednesday night, was furious with the news, according to a source close to him. But Billups, who has a $14.2-million expiring contract, was aware of a potential move this season and had been mentioned as a key piece in trade offers for Paul.

Billups has yet to be told if he will be included in a sign-and-trade for Chandler or if he'll be waived as part of the NBA's one-time amnesty provision, which is in the new CBA. The Knicks also are looking to move center Ronny Turiaf, who is in the final year of his contract.

Though the Knicks filled their most critical need of the offseason, they created a new need at point guard. They could go with a defensive-minded duo of Toney Douglas and rookie Iman Shumpert, or they could sign another player off the Mavericks' roster, J.J. Barea.

Last week Barea called the Knicks "a great second option'' after the Mavs, who are offering only a one-year deal. Another option is Baron Davis, who is expected to be an amnesty waiver by the Cavaliers.

There were reports Thursday that said the Knicks had discussions with the Hornets about a swap of Stoudemire for Paul, but they went nowhere.

The Knicks also are in the hunt for Grant Hill, who is mulling a one-year, $5-million offer to stay with the Suns and has the Spurs on his radar.