"Chris Duhon was an unexcused no-show in February when the Knicks' charter flight returned home from Miami the morning after their loss to Dwyane Wade and the Heat.

When Stephon Marbury went AWOL in November of 2007, his disappearance became national news. Duhon's error in judgment, however, barely caused a ripple outside of the Knicks organization.

The official word was that Duhon overslept, which is entirely plausible. But the incident did raise additional concerns about Duhon's lifestyle - which were first broached last summer before Duhon joined the Knicks on a two-year, $12 million contract - and whether his affinity for the nightlife is directly linked to the point guard's rapidly declining play during the second half of the season.

As Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni evaluate 2008-09 and begin building next season's team, Duhon's future will be one of the main topics. According to a source, the Knicks will try to upgrade at the position with the idea of making Duhon the backup, which appears to be a more suitable role for him.

A trade is not out of the question since Duhon is entering the final year of his contract. However, Duhon has a strong supporter in D'Antoni, who, on the advice of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, lobbied Walsh to sign the point guard last July.

The move paved the way for the Knicks to begin divorce proceedings with Marbury, the incumbent starter who never played a minute this season before negotiating a buyout two months ago.

D'Antoni had enough confidence in Duhon that he anointed him the starting point guard before training camp began and demoted the more accomplished Marbury. For a time, the controversial decision appeared to be the proper move. In the Knicks' first 46 games, Duhon averaged 12.7 points, eight assists and 2.85 turnovers. Plus, the Knicks were in the thick of the playoff hunt, going 21-25 through January. "