Knicks officials met with free-agent point guard Chris Duhon Tuesday and lost out on one of their other second-tier targets, Beno Udrih of Sacramento.
Udrih, a blossoming playmaker who also drew interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, agreed to return to the Kings with the full, five-year mid-level exception, a Western Conference executive confirmed to Newsday.
Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy made an in-person plea to Udrih, but Udrih took the same money from the Kings, who gave him his shot to be a starter in the league. The Knicks never got involved because they’re in cap-clearing mode and were only willing to make a two-year offer for Udrih at the mid-level salary of about $5.5 million per year.
Duhon heard from several other teams Tuesday and is intent on weighing his options. After meeting with the Knicks, he headed to Orlando for a meeting with Magic officials Wednesday. The Knicks are looking at free-agent point guard options, such as Miami’s Jason Williams and Denver’s Anthony Carter, before exploring trade possibilities such as Portland’s Steve Blake and Charlotte’s Raymond Felton.
“Nothing” is happening on the trade front involving David Lee, according to another person with knowledge of the Knicks’ plans. The team has fielded plenty of calls about the rebounding specialist, but isn’t actively shopping him yet. Zach Randolph — who has three years and a whopping $48 million left — has attracted some inquiries, according to the person, who said the team isn’t likely to be active in the trade market until the free-agent negotiating period ends July 9.
Duhon, who played for Team USA Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, is a solid defender and three-point shooter who didn’t get a chance to prove himself as a dependable playmaker with the Bulls. Part of that was Scott Skiles’ abrasive coaching style, and part of it was Duhon’s affinity for the night life. Duhon endured various benchings and suspensions in Chicago for missing film sessions, team meetings, and for oversleeping.
Any viable point guard acquisition would clear the way for the Knicks to buy out the one year and $21.9 million remaining on Stephon Marbury’s contract. But President Donnie Walsh and Coach Mike D’Antoni do not intend to rid the team of Marbury until they’ve acquired a more productive option.
Distributed by the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service
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