The Knicks expect to sign Bulls free-agent backup point guard Chris Duhon today after last night inking their first-round pick, Danilo Gallinari, to the standard rookie two-year, $5 million pact for sixth overall picks.
Stephon Marbury? He still twists in the wind, with Knick President Donnie Walsh not yet ready to take action until likely next month.
When Duhon agreed to terms July 4, his agent, Kevin Bradbury, set off fireworks, anointing his client as the Knicks’ starting point guard.
Whispers inside the organization grow louder by the day that Marbury will be bought out of the final year of his contract. But Walsh is still exploring trade scenarios on all fronts, with Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph, David Lee and Jamal Crawford all being shopped, before he can comfortably cut ties with the Knicks’ lightning rod.
Adding Duhon and Gallinari, a project, are not exactly major upgrades for a 23-59 club.
The Knicks hold their first summer-league practice Friday in Las Vegas, and Gallinari is to debut Monday vs. Cleveland.
The Knicks bought out Gallinari’s contract with Milan for $500,000. Second-year man Wilson Chandler, plus 2006 first-rounders Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins, also will play, as will Nate Robinson, who will do it for the fourth straight year.
The Knicks will hold an adjacent voluntary minicamp in which Marbury and Duhon are expected to participate. Curry considered playing a summer-league game to test his surgically repaired knee but will only work out.