Knicks center Eddy Curry was bound with duct tape while his suburban Chicago home was robbed at gunpoint early yesterday, police said.

Curry, his wife and an employee were restrained as three robbers made off with cash and jewelry, police said. No one was injured, and none of Curry's children was home at the time of the invasion, a person with knowledge of the situation said. Authorities do not believe it was a random incident, meaning the 6-11, 285-pounder was targeted.

According to one unconfirmed account, Curry came home to find the robbery in progress. No arrests have been reported.

"We are aware of the situation," the Knicks said in a statement. "We are very thankful that Eddy and his family are safe. He told us that it was a traumatic experience. We are aware that the local authorities are handling the situation."

New York Knicks' center Eddy Curry's home in Chicago was reportedly broken into early Saturday morning, police said. Curry may have been tied up during the possible home invasion.

Curry averaged 19.5 points and seven rebounds a game for the Knicks last season.

Curry was traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Knicks in October 2005.

"We [are] aware of the situation and are very thankful that Eddy Curry and his family are safe. He told us it was a traumatic experience. At this time we are aware that the local authorities are handling the situation," according to a statement from the Knicks.

Coach Maurice Cheeks sees rising 76ers star Andre Iguodala "going up the ladder." The latest rung involves landing a berth among eight to 10 young NBA players invited to practice and scrimmage with the U.S. national team before next month's Olympic qualifying tournament in Las Vegas.

Cheeks, in California, became aware of that development yesterday.

Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the national team, confirmed Iguodala's acceptance Wednesday. According to published reports, others who were tendered invitations include Al Jefferson, Boston; Devin Harris, Dallas; Monta Ellis, Golden State; and David Lee, New York. Portland's Brandon Roy might not be able to participate because of a scheduling conflict.

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Isiah Thomas announced today that forward Wilson Chandler has been signed to a contract. Chandler was selected by New York with the 23rd overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Chandler, 6-8, 230-pounds, was an early entry candidate in the draft, having declared following his sophomore season at DePaul. The 20-year old, Benton Harbor, MI-native averaged 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds during his two years for the Blue Demons and left school ranked 10th on the school?s all-time list for career blocked shots.

As a member of the Knicks? entry in the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas earlier this month, Chandler averaged 13.4 points, on 50.9-percent shooting, and 5.2 rebounds in five games (all starts).

The Knicks and Wilson Chandler's representatives agreed during the Las Vegas summer league earlier this month to postpone signing a contract until August to allow Isiah Thomas to explore his trading options, sources said.

With 17 players on the roster, Thomas has been looking to make one more major move and Chandler was available in the right scenario, perhaps for Ron Artest, according to a person familiar with the situation. Had Chandler signed his rookie deal before the summer league, as is custom, the Knicks could not trade him for 45 days.

Nevertheless, Chandlers' agent, Chris Luchey, told The Post the waiting period is all but over and the DePaul small forward is expected to sign by Monday or Tuesday.

"We didn't have a problem with it, we didn't want to complicate anything Isiah was trying to do," Luchey said of Chandler's waiting to sign with the Knicks. "But Isiah told us he wasn't trying to put him in a trade, so we didn't have any stress."

Quentin Richardson claimed he has no problems about Isiah Thomas making inquiries into Ron Artest, as volatile as Richardson is steady. Plus, Q won't be suspended for the first seven games like Artest.

"I have no issues,'' Richardson told me. "Whatever Coach Thomas does is for the betterment of the team. That's not my place to say (if we need him). That's why we have management. They'll do everything they think that needs to get done.''

When Larry Johnson was forced into early retirement six years ago, most of the Knicks' heart and leadership went with him. It is also no coincidence that the franchise hasn't won a single playoff game since one of its most clutch postseason performers walked away.

If there is such a thing as the "Curse of L.J.," the Knicks may be doing something about it. According to sources, Johnson could be returning to the Knicks in a still-undefined role. In all likelihood, Johnson will be working for the Knicks part-time in their community relations department along with former teammate John Starks.

Stephon Marbury made a shocking revelation yesterday, saying that when his contract expires with the Knicks in two years, he's planning to play in Italy.

Marbury, amidst his 38-city, cross-country bus tour to promote his discount Starburys sneakers, told The Post he wants to eventually leave the NBA after having visited Italy in May with his wife.

"I'm not just thinking of doing it, I'm going to do it," Marbury vowed yesterday. "My wife loved it there. It's like a [David] Beckham thing."

The Marburys visited Rome, Milan and Tuscany.

Marbury has one year left on his contract with Steve & Barry's and has told friends he wants to take his sneakers global. Marbury will be 32 when his contract expires.

"I would've played 13 years in the league," said Marbury, who is writing a Web blog for The Post. "That's a lot. Most guys don't get to seven."

On a mission in Kenya, Ron Artest gave an interview to Ken Berger of Newsday.

According to Berger, while Artest said he will not demand a trade to the Knicks or any other club, Berger writes that Artest "sounded like someone who wants to come home in the worst way" and re-opened the possibility of exercising an opt-out clause in his contract after next season.

"A team doesn't want to lose you for nothing when they could have gotten something," Artest said.  

Artest is not offended that the Knicks will not trade David Lee for him.  "I wouldn't trade myself for David Lee at all. I love his game ....  Isiah made a great call. I would have done the same thing."

Asked whether he would demand a trade, Artest said, "That's something I won't do. I have a deep respect for Isiah and everything, but that's just something that I haven't thought about."

Artest said Sacramento "is not really for a guy like me sometimes ....  I'm totally capable of playing in any major city -- L.A., Miami, Houston, New York City -- and at the same time, I'm happy to be a Sacramento King."

When asked about the Knicks, Artest said, "That's definitely like a championship roster. Zach Randolph is so good. When the Knicks got him, I was like, 'Man, major problems in the East.' Zach Randolph is a monster. He's a straight beast."

Knicks guard Nate Robinson said competing in a summer league, even as a third year player, beat just sitting around at home. And then Robinson gave a week-long performance that beat just playing.

Robinson was named the MVP of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas after he scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds yesterday in a 116-108 victory over the Nuggets that left the Knicks 5-0 in the league.

"I'm honored to have been selected MVP but more proud of my teammates and going 5-0," said Robinson who finished the week averaging 19.6 points, 6.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds. "It's been a great week for us."