Party on! The Knicks will officially sign Bulls free agent backup point guard Chris Duhon tomorrow and tonight they inked their first-round pick, the Italian Stallion, Danilo Gallinari, to the standard rookie two-year, $5 million pact for sixth overall picks.
Despite the Duhon signing, Walsh is exploring trading for another point guard. Duhon’s career in Chicago dovetailed the final two seasons, reportedly because of the playmaker’s penchant for parties. Duhon grew up in Slidell, La., on the outskirts of the Big Easy. Free agents can’t officially sign until today.
The Knicks will hold their first summer-league practice Friday in Las Vegas and Gallinari will debut Monday vs. Cleveland. The Knicks bought out Gallinari’s contract with Milan for $500,000. Second-year man Wilson Chandler, 2006 first-rounders, Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins will also play, as will Nate Robinson, who will do it for the fourth straight year.
The Knicks will hold an adjacent voluntary minicamp in which Stephon Marbury and Duhon will participate. Eddy Curry considered playing a summer-league game to test his surgically repaired knee but will only work out.