Their first practice of the season finishing, the Knicks gathered in a circle for a song.

''Happy Birthday to you!'' they sang to center Tyson Chandler, who turned 30 on Tuesday.

''I was feeling young until today,'' Chandler said.

He still is, compared to some of his new teammates.

The Knicks went the veteran route in the offseason - really veteran. They added a forward who turns 40 this week, a 39-year-old guard, and are soon expected to have two 38-year-old frontcourt reserves. Oh, and one of their rookies is 35.

Assuming 38-year-old Rasheed Wallace ends his retirement and signs with the Knicks this week, as expected, their 13-man rotation would average 32 years and 240 days old, the oldest in NBA history, according to research by STATS, LLC.

Too old?

''I don't think so,'' Chandler said, noting that the Dallas Mavericks team he helped to win the 2011 title averaged nearly 30 years of age.

''Obviously, we've got some guys a little over that mark, but you know what, the guys that we do have are going to bring great veteran leadership and they bring a calmness around the team that we didn't have before, and it's only going to benefit us. In order to win in this league, you've got to have veterans.''

Kurt Thomas, a former Knick reacquired along with Raymond Felton from Portland, will turn 40 on Thursday. Jason Kidd will get there next March 23, born just a few months before the Knicks won their most recent championship.

Marcus Camby returns for his second stint with the Knicks at 38, and Argentine point guard Pablo Prigioni finally comes to the NBA at 35.