PHILADELPHIA – Isiah Thomas’ top priority entering today’s 3 p.m. trade deadline was adding a playmaking point-guard to their point-guard-depleted roster. That need was underscored last night as the Knicks committed 25 turnovers in a 124-84 blowout loss to the Sixers.
A league source told The Post the Knicks and Orlando discussed trades in recent days involving their two backup point guards, Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling, but were in a stalemate. Arroyo is a prototype European passing point guard, a 28-year-old from Puerto Rico who has been in and out of the Magic’s rotation.
Arroyo and Dooling each make roughly $4 million and own expiring contracts. But the Knicks didn’t want to part with young players such as rookie Wilson Chandler, and neither team wanted to add payroll.
Orlando, with its glut of point guards, will not have the money to re-sign both as free agents following starter Jameer Nelson’s contract extension.
With Stephon Marbury potentially done as a Knick, Thomas realizes a playmaker is needed, and he missed out on Michael Bibby.
“They feel they have a hole at the point guard,” one league general manager said.
Seattle point guard Luke Ridnour also is available. Ron Artest and Vince Carter are longtime swingman targets.