Marc Berman of the New York Post reports: The search for Marcus Camby's replacement has begun. Knicks GM Scott Layden formally expressed interest in free-agent centers Keon Clark (Raptors), Jerome James (Sonics) and Rasho Nesterovic (T'Wolves) Monday night in conversations with their agents.
But as Layden sifts through the free-agent pivot picture, while attempting to trade for star point guards Baron Davis and Andre Miller, he has to evaluate several items.

One important element is deeming which club is the likeliest to match if he signs a player to an offer sheet with his $4.7 mid-level, salary-cap exception. Clark, James and Nesterovic are all restricted free agents, giving their teams 14 days to match.

One exception is Cleveland center Michael Doleac. The Cavs failed to make a qualifying offer Monday, leaving him unrestricted. Doleac's a good perimeter shooter but not the shot-blocking/rebounding force the Knicks need to join a Kurt Thomas/Antonio McDyess frontcourt.

Layden still hopes to strike a deal for Davis or Miller but it seems slim. Layden, who's willing to give up Latrell Sprewell, has had discussions with the Hornets but been told Davis won't be traded.

Davis is pushing for a trade to the Knicks or Clippers. The Hornets and Davis are at a stalemate, but New Orleans holds all the cards. Davis has yet to accept their six-year maximum contract extension but he's still under contract for next season and is only a restricted free agent after 2002-2003. That means the Hornets could retain his rights for one more year after that by matching any offer next summer.

More to the point, a source familiar with the Hornets thinking said it's almost impossible to trade Davis for cap reasons because he makes so little - less than $4 million this season. As such, it would be difficult to get back an All-Star at that wage. And there's no one on the Hornets' roster who qualifies as a cap throw-in to make the wages balance on both sides.

As far as the centers, Minnesota is likeliest to match an offer sheet to Resterovic. Toronto is least likely to match an offer sheet to Clark. Seattle is the unknown with the 7-1 James. The Sonics' first priority is re-signing Rashard Lewis, who has asked for the max but won't get it.

The Sonics are wary of exceeding the luxury-tax threshold and they still have Calvin Booth, who missed all of last season, ready to step in. Seattle prefers the shot-blocking James to Booth but could be scared off matching a six-year offer.

"I think Jerome would fit in quite nicely with the Knicks," his agent Mark Fleisher said. "He clogs up the middle like few players can do."

The Raptors are $1 million shy of what the luxury-tax threshold will likely be for next season and are still unsure if they can match an offer sheet. The 6-11, athletic Clark does more things than Camby, including scoring in the post, but he's looking to sign with a warm-weather club. San Antonio has expressed interest, as have six others.

"We're trying to find a way to work it out," Grunwald told The Post. "We're waiting on more information. Keon's our first priority. We knew there would be a lot of interest. He had a good year last year."