"Stephon Marbury left a prestigious Manhattan law office in a black overcoat at 2:30 p.m. yesterday, skipping across the cold Times Square streets in glee, raising his arms in triumph, bellowing, "I'm happy."

Marbury has been set free by the Knicks and now he will wear green. Marbury will sign with the Celtics once he clears waivers in two days to try to win a championship, according to sources. The Knicks said goodbye to Marbury, but could say hello to him again in the first round of the playoffs.

The Knicks announced last night they had reached a buyout agreement with Marbury during yesterday's arbitration hearing at Skadden, Arps over the banished point guard's $400,000 fine for allegedly refusing to play. But the hearing was just a ruse to get Donnie Walsh and Marbury into the same room together to work out a divorce.

"A comprehensive agreement was made this afternoon between the New York Knicks and Stephon Marbury," the Knicks announced. "Under its terms, the grievance has been resolved and the Knicks have requested waivers on Stephon."

Marbury jubilantly posed for a Post photographer for several minutes before heading off in a silver SUV, his dead career alive again. Marbury had feared the Knicks would not waive him until March 2 when he would've been ineligible for a playoff roster."