Sergio Rodriguez, the unexpected Spanish bonus in the three-team Tracy McGrady deal, may wind up as the point guard of the present — and Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is not ruling out the point guard of the future.
Because of his ability to play the speed-ball attack better than Chris Duhon, the ex-Kings backup point guard is going to get a big shot in a 29-game audition that begins tonight vs. Oklahoma City and probably supplant Chris Duhon as starter eventually.
Rodriguez is a restricted free agent with a low qualifying offer that just may fit under the Knicks’ salary cap. And the Spaniard wants to be here, as does his agent Arn Tellem, who orchestrated the McGrady blockbuster.
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“It’s been a long time wishing I play for the Knicks, and my wish came true,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez played 39 games for Sacramento, averaging six points and three assists in 13 minutes.
“We’ll see a lot of him,” said D’Antoni, who worked him out for Phoenix in 2006 before the draft, selected him but traded his rights. “I don’t know yet if it’s at the beginning, middle or end. But after 29 games, we’ll have a good beat on Sergio.”
The flashy Rodriguez has been compared with Jason Williams and has the moniker “Spanish Chocolate.”
But Tim Shea, the former Knicks and Suns international scout who worked with D’Antoni, told The Post to beware.
“Sergio is and was immature,” Shea said. “He can run. He likes transition and makes the fancy, showtime play. But he’s an inconsistent shooter and makes questionable decisions at point. He has gotten better, but has big lapses.”
But he probably is better than Duhon.
“Chris was pretty good at [high-tempo] when we had Zach [Randolph] and Jamal [Crawford],” D’Antoni said. “[But] Sergio can run.”
⇒ As expected, the Knicks waived Brian Cardinal, though they had an available roster spot. Originally they needed to open a roster spot for the Boston deal. But the Minnesota deal worked out as the Darko Milicic-Cardinal exchange saved $700,000 overall — in luxury tax.
Sources said the Knicks approached Milicic about a buyout but he didn’t want to give up any money. The Knicks still could use the roster spot to sign a big man. . . . McGrady’s No. 3 Knicks jersey goes on sale today at the NBA Store.
* Courts Of Dreams, established by agent Marc Cornstein to restore outdoor basketball courts, will host a fundraising basketball clinic tomorrow at Horace Mann School in Riverdale, featuring Danilo Gallinari, John Starks and Larry Johnson. For more information, contact 212-832-2910.