Getting word tonight that Chris Duhon could be on the verge of making a decision, possibly as early as Thursday.
He met with the Knicks on Tuesday and the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. He was expected to have discussions with a few other teams, but two days after the opening of free agency, Duhon is ready to take an offer.
The Knicks wouldn't offer much in long-term security, but they did offer opportunity. Stephon Marbury is still on the roster and his future with the team is uncertain -- does he play out the remaining one year of his contract or do the Knicks cut ties before the season? -- so Duhon could be viewed as his replacement in the starter's role. Or he's a versatile depth player that essentially replaces Fred Jones, who is an unrestricted free agent.
The Marbury factor will hang over the team all summer until a decision is made.
If Duhon takes the Knicks offer, that doesn't necessarily end the Knicks work in free agency. Some reports suggest that Duhon was offered the full mid-level exception salary (it's expected to be just shy of $6 million per), but we believe it's more like a little more than half of the mid-level, or about $3.2 million per, which is about what Duhon made last season in Chicago.
That would leave a little more money left to spend on some other veterans who may help. Maybe a shot-blocker or low-post defender? Would $2.5 million or so be insulting to a 36-year-old Kurt Thomas? What about using a little less and take a chance on Chris Birdman Andersen?
Just bloggin'.
Of course if Duhon turns the Knicks down, it's right back to the speculation pool.
Stay tuned . . . .
Comments (12)
Alan
thats cool...i hope duhon doesn't diss us to be a back up in orlando.
check out this rumor i picked up reading the paper in Cali:
Jamal Crawford to Warriors?
There are point guards out there within reach. My current choice would be the New York Knicks' Jamal Crawford, a big, scoring point guard who may be trade bait as the Knicks seek to dump salary. If the Warriors offered Al Harrington (big contract that expires in 2010, right when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade can be free agents) and a protected future No. 1 pick, and took back Crawford and the horrible contract of Zach Randolph, would the Knicks bite? They might. Crawford can be erratic and he's not the commander-on-the-court that Baron is, but Crawford is a giant talent worth a look if there is money to spend. Another name of interest is Chicago's Kirk Hinrich, made less relevant there by the drafting of Derrick Rose. -- San Jose Mercury News
Alan
thats cool...i hope duhon doesn't diss us to be a back up in orlando.
check out this rumor i picked up reading the paper in Cali:
Jamal Crawford to Warriors?
There are point guards out there within reach. My current choice would be the New York Knicks' Jamal Crawford, a big, scoring point guard who may be trade bait as the Knicks seek to dump salary. If the Warriors offered Al Harrington (big contract that expires in 2010, right when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade can be free agents) and a protected future No. 1 pick, and took back Crawford and the horrible contract of Zach Randolph, would the Knicks bite? They might. Crawford can be erratic and he's not the commander-on-the-court that Baron is, but Crawford is a giant talent worth a look if there is money to spend. Another name of interest is Chicago's Kirk Hinrich, made less relevant there by the drafting of Derrick Rose. -- San Jose Mercury News
Nice scoop Alan, you're the first to report that Duhon is near a decision. Although he's no star, I really hope he chooses the Knicks as he's solid, and also, hopefully, it would also mean that Marbury would be finally, exorcised!
Is David Alan's dad? You have got to be kidding!! The last time Alan got a scoop was when he worked at Carvel. Alan's favorite source is cut and paste from every other web site.
:sigh: finally someone has the scoop on duhons decision. been searching the web all day. sick of hearing other teams make noise. we could've used desagna diop as another free agent signing candidate, but too late. would've been a nice compliment to our two 400 pound big men (zbo/curry). been watching duhon clips all day from youtube, yahoo, aol, etc...i even tried searching a video of him in myspace then came to find out he has a myspace! lol anyways after watching all videos. im sold on him. he can make an impact. caught a couple of videos of him scoring 34pts 9assists then another line was 24pts n 15assists against the bucks in a double overtime game. ok just bloggin.
Alan, Chris Duhon is the answer to all our prayers. Not.
@Bryan
LOL...my thoughts exactly
any chance we can get arroyo or telfair too?
even with duhon we only have 3 and half guards...LOL
just kidding lil nate
I gotta say if Duhon cant handle the nightlife in Chi-Town, how the hell is he gonna handle NYC... From what Im hearing he couldnt wake up, in time for practice and was on some Eddie Murphy "Partying All The Time" thing, kinda immature especially in a contract year...
Telfair might be better built for that, NY wont wow him at all ...
@Kid
that happend after they pulled duhon from the rotation
and he was not playing at all
he also missed a practice and some bull's charity event
but i think that was because he thought
the bulls were being unfair when they pulled him from the rotation
the weird thing is that when they pulled him(for no reason)
kirk was struggling and duhon had gotten a double double
the last time he actually played
i do think duhon reminds me of a charlie ward type
one thing about him is when he is in the game he plays
both ends-defense and offense
if he does sign he will be the only knick guard known for defense
The Orlando Sentinel is stating that Duhon is leaning to the Magic for a three-year deal. The opportunity to "win a championship" outweighs the chance to start for the Knicks according to this article.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-magic03a08jul03,0,4259757.story
Good, let him sign with the Magic. But it's pretty embarrassing we can even attracted Duhon. Maybe we should beg Arroyo or Telefair to play with our sorry butts.
NYC 2, there's no way Warriors take back Zbo's contract for anyone on the Knicks, possibly (but probably not) barring David Lee, who's not going anywhere. Zbo's essentially untradable, and crawford costs a lot too for a guy who doesn't make his teammates any better.