By MARC BERMAN
Last updated: 7:09 am
July 4, 2008
Posted: 4:37 am
July 4, 2008
The Chris Duhon Watch continued into the Fourth of July holiday weekend as the Bulls backcourt point guard apparently doesn't have a formal offer from Orlando yet and isn't thrilled with the Knicks' modest two-year package.
He may want to just enjoy the holiday before accepting anything.
Not that Duhon deserves to have "A Watch," but this is the state of the Knicks' free-agent point-guard hunt that hardly spells the end of the Stephon Marbury Era.
The Knicks expected an answer yesterday but were still awaiting word after making the career backup a two-year offer in the $6.5 million range on the first day of free agency Tuesday.
Duhon visited Orlando Wednesday but information coming out of Disney City was the Magic are waiting to see what happens with free agent Corey Maggette before offering Duhon their mid-level exception. Orlando's fallback plan if Duhon picks the Knicks is re-signing their own backup PG, Keyon Dooling.
According to a radio report, the Magic had either made or planned to make a three-year offer that would beat the Knicks. There are a ton of other options for the Knicks, but no frontline guy that would prompt Knicks president Donnie Walsh from waiving Marbury. The Knicks would need to add Duhon and another higher-level PG through a trade before they would consider waiving Marbury, who's currently their most talented, accomplished player, even at age 31.
Duhon would be given a chance to compete for the starting job since Marbury is coming off a season of 24 games and ankle surgery. A source close to Walsh told The Post, "Getting Duhon does not mean Marbury is demoted."
The Knicks have also expressed interest in Tyronn Lue, Roger Mason, Eddie House, Sebastian Telfair, Jennaro Pargo and Carlos Arroyo.
