ALL POINTS TO DUHON WITH KNICKS' MARBURY ON OUTS

BY ALAN HAHN |

The Knicks can make official today the signing of guard Chris Duhon to
a two-year contract for the midlevel exception. But the end of the
Stephon Marbury era in New York likely won't be made official for a
few more weeks, if not months.

Duhon, 25, was brought in to fill a desperate need for a playmaking
guard among a roster of scoring guards. He was given assurances that
he will contend for the starting position, but he wasn't brought here
to beat out Marbury for the job like Steve Francis was in that
ill-fated, Larry Brown-endorsed trade in February 2006. When training
camp opens in October, Duhon shouldn't expect to see Marbury opposite
him.

Most of the Knicks players aren't expecting Marbury to be there,
despite his reported plans to come to Las Vegas this weekend to
participate in voluntary workouts with other Knicks veterans while the
team prepares for the NBA Summer League opener Monday. Marbury's
effort to show up in Vegas is viewed by some teammates as a ploy, not
a sincere effort.

"He's trying to show he's still dedicated," said one Knicks player,
who asked not to be identified. "Come on, man, your teammates know. We
see it every year."

Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni will be in Vegas along
with a handful of Knicks veterans - Duhon, Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry,
David Lee, Malik Rose, etc. - who expected to arrive this weekend to
work out together and catch up with the new regime.

Walsh has treaded carefully around the Marbury issue since he took
over the team in April and continues to play it coy about what he
plans to do with him. However, Walsh made it clear that the
controversy-riddled guard, who feuded with each of the past three
Knicks coaches, would not get away with the things he got away with in
the past. But that's only if he is still on the team come November.

Walsh's most likely option is to buy out the remaining one year and
$21 million left on the contract. But Walsh won't come to that
decision just yet, as he still has the summer to see if there is a
viable trade situation. Any team that would have an interest in
Marbury - Boston, San Antonio, Golden State and Miami could use a
veteran backup - would prefer to wait for the Knicks to cut Marbury so
they can sign him for the veteran's minimum. It's a situation that
likely won't reach a conclusion until late summer/early fall.

Among the players expected to be on the Knicks summer league roster
include first-round pick Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Renaldo
Balkman, Mardy Collins and, for a fourth year, Nate Robinson, who was
named MVP of the summer league last year. Assistant coach Phil Weber
will run the team.

Gallinari, who was taken with the sixth overall pick in the June
draft, signed his rookie contract last night. He had an opt-out clause
in his contract with his Italian League team, Armani Jeans Milano,
which allowed him to leave for the NBA. Gallinari will make the rookie
scale of $3,163,680 in his first season and it raises incrementally to
$4,609,701 in the fourth year. He will make his Knicks debut Monday
against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Thomas & Mack Center.

Steph-gone?

Exploring what to do with Stephon Marbury

Buyout

Marbury has one year remaining on his contract worth $21.5 million.
The Knicks could negotiate a buyout of that amount and cut him from
the roster. The buyout amount, likely slightly less than the full
contract, would still count against the salary cap, but just for this
season. Marbury would be free to sign with any other NBA team.
Chances: Most likely.

Trade

An expiring contract has value on the trade market and there are teams
out there - Boston, Miami, San Antonio and Golden State, to name a few
- that are in need of a quality backup point guard. The Knicks could
try to swing a deal for a player or players who better fit their
plans, yet also have contracts that expire before 2010. The only
problem here is any team with an interest in Marbury knows they can
get him as a free agent once the Knicks buy him out.
Chances: Possible.

Keep him

Considering that he is playing for what would likely be his last NBA
contract, Marbury may be motivated to play hard and keep a more
disciplined mental approach. And if he isn't and instead once again
becomes a distraction, you can always put him on the inactive list and
pay him to stay away. It's a high risk/reward option.
Chances: Least likely.