NBA

‘SHAKY’ DEAL

LAS VEGAS – As Italian forward Danilo Gallinari makes his Knicks debut today at UNLV in their summer-league opener vs. Cleveland, the status of David Lee becomes murkier.

Lee, the team’s most popular player and among the league’s best rebounders, admitted yesterday he is bracing for the worst. Lee, who arrived in Vegas Friday to work out with the summer league team, had lunch with Mike D’Antoni and the Knicks coach explained to him why his name has come up in trade talks.

The Knicks are shopping Zach Randolph’s contract in their bid to get under the 2010 salary cap and may have to hook Lee in to entice teams. The under-the-cap Clippers and the Knicks have discussed a Randolph trade, reportedly with L.A. offering a second-round pick. Donnie Walsh prefers getting at least some talent back.

The Knicks haven’t made up their mind if they want to give Lee a long-term contract extension by October – as he’ll be seeking a salary starting at $6 million at the least.

Lee becomes a free agent after the season and Gallinari plays his position – a taller, better-shooting version.

“I definitely love New York and playing for the Knicks,” Lee said. “Unfortunately, it’s something completely out of my hands. Teams are calling and if they have a chance to make the franchise better and need to trade you along with someone they need to get rid of, they’d be dumb not to entertain offers. It’s a compliment, but it makes my life, my summer a little shaky not knowing what’s going to happen.”

Lee did not deny his agent, Mark Bartlestein, before the draft advised Memphis not to trade for him because the Knicks gritty forward would never sign a long-term contract with the Grizzlies.

“I don’t know what happened on his end,” Lee said. “His job is to represent his players.”

Lee made his wishes clear yesterday. He wants to stick. “I love New York, it’s a big market,” Lee said. “More than anything for the pressure day to day from media and fans and the city wanting to win so bad. The biggest thing I’d love, to be a part of this when it turns around. I think I’ve earned a right to be a part of this when it turns around with some of the stuff we’ve been through the last three years as a team.

“Moving forward, I would love to see what it’s like here when we’re winning games and getting ready for the playoffs. I’m hoping I’m here when it happens.”

Lee believes the odds are still good he’ll be around when the Knicks open training camp in Saratoga Oct. 1, saying he cleared “a big hurdle” after the Memphis trade collapsed. Donnie Walsh was trying to collect Memphis’ first-round pick. However, D’Antoni gave him no assurances.

“At this point anything can happen with pretty much anyone on the roster,” Lee said. “Mike said, I’m here to make us better to win games. I don’t know how to get there, but he’ll find a way to get this franchise in the right direction. Whether that means I’m here or I get traded to help the franchise, it could go either way. I survived [draft day]. If I wake up one day and get the call, I get the call.”

Jamal Crawford, who arrived in Vegas yesterday, is also in danger of being moved because his contract cuts into 2010 when LeBron James becomes free.

“It’s weird because everybody’s looking at 2010 and there’s a reason, there’s great players out there,” Crawford said. “But we still need good players now.”

Still, Crawford added change might be good “to break up the monotony a little bit.”

Lee is already super impressed with the 6-10 Gallinari. “His skill level is above most of the guys in the draft,” Lee said. “He’s a very, very skilled player. He’ll be one of the best players on our team shooting-wise.” But are the Knicks ready to move on without Lee, whose rumored departure has created an uproar among fans.

“It’s a great compliment,” Lee said. “I really enjoy playing for New York fans. It’s a big compliment, great to see the 30th pick in his third year can have support like I had.”

marc.berman@nypost.com