1.   Finding a good center is a top priority for the Knicks, who will try to upgrade their roster this summer.

2.   In response, Lakers owner Jerry Buss has given strict orders to contain and even reduce salaries, making it extremely difficult to continually upgrade the roster.

3.   Mills and Chris Childs are supposed to be part of the package the Knicks will be using to upgrade the roster.

4.   On the surface, they upgraded their roster with Steve Kerr, Mario Elie and second-year point guard Antonio Daniels, acquired in a trade with Vancouver.

5.   Though Van Gundy once called him the most influential member of the Knicks organization, Sprewell said he would not approach Layden about upgrading the roster.

6.   Upgrading the roster was the first step.

7.   For years, European basketball teams upgraded rosters by filling allotted foreigner slots with big men.

8.   However, while the Braves and New York Mets made several moves to upgrade their rosters, the Phillies stood pat.

9.   Instead, he moves to the Islanders, who have upgraded their roster with the addition of forwards Michael Peca and Alexei Yashin.