Come Dec. 9, the Knicks will be after a veteran free-agent defensive center to slot alongside Amar’e Stoudemire — the major addition they will make to this season’s roster as they hold 2012 cap space for the starry free-agent class of Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard.

The Knicks have a modest center wish list — considering they only want to offer one-year deals — with Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Tony Battie, Theo Ratliff and Aaron Gray.

Samuel Dalembert had been their priority, but they likely can’t afford him. However, there is a small possibility of offering a longer-term package and using the new amnesty clause if they need the cap space for one of the 2012 superstars.

via Marc Berman of the New York Post