Point guard Stephon Marbury has dropped to 200 pounds in an attempt to get in shape this offseason, but he still appears to be on thin ice, according to New York Post.

The Knicks have sixteen players under contract, which means they must get rid of one player prior to the start of the season.

Marbury is still considered a candidate to be cut at this point although recently-acquired forward Patrick Ewing Jr. is not a lock to make the team, either.

The Knicks are reportedly still discussing a deal with the Grizzlies that would send forward Zach Randolph to Memphis, according to Newsday.

Such a move would give New York the salary cap room needed to make a play on the free agent market in 2010.

Earlier this summer, a deal between the Grizzlies and Knicks was rumored to be on the table, with Darko Milicic reportedly a part of the package New York would receive.

The New York Knicks have acquired Patrick Ewing, Jr. in a trade with Houston in exchange for the draft rights to center Frederic Weis.

"Patrick Ewing will have an opportunity here to compete for a spot on our roster," said Donnie Walsh. "He is a solid defensive player and a very good athlete."

Ewing, Jr. was originally drafted by Sacramento in the 2008 NBA Draft as the 43rd overall selection.  He was traded to the Rockets on Aug. 14 as part of a multi-player deal that included Ron Artest.

"Coming to the Knicks, and hopefully being able to contribute, means a lot to me. It has always been my dream to play for this team," Ewing, Jr. said. "My goal is to show the coaches that I can play and do all that I can to help the team win some games."

Weis was New York?s first-round draft choice (15th overall) in 1999 and became controversial because they passed on Artest, who was known locally from playing at St. John's and growing up in Queensbridge.

The Grizzlies are reportedly looking to make a move of some kind after missing out on free agent forward Josh Smith earlier this offseason, according to Memphis Edge.

They reportedly have had trade discussions with the Knicks involving Zach Randolph, and the talks still ongoing.

Memphis is willing to part with Darko Milicic in a package that wouldn't include either Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, or O.J. Mayo.

The Blazers are also looking for a point guard, and could offer Travis Outlaw in a deal with the Grizzlies.

John Gabriel, who won the executive of the year award while with the Orlando Magic, has joined the Knicks? front office and will assume a major role in rebuilding the roster after seven straight losing seasons.

Donnie Walsh, the team president, appointed Gabriel as the director of pro scouting and free agency, a newly created position. Gabriel?s primary duty will be evaluating current N.B.A. players, with an eye toward future trades and free-agent signings.

The New York Knicks have added former Orlando Magic GM John Gabriel as the team's new director of scouting, the New York Daily News is reporting.

Knicks' President Donnie Walsh also hired Misho Ostarcevic to be the team's director of player personnel.

Knicks' rookie Danilo Gallinari will not be suiting up for Italy for its Eurobasket Qualifier tournament because he is still resting his injured back from the summer league, according to a report by the New York Post.

Gallinari will sit out all of Italy's games in an effort to be healthy by the time New York opens training camp.

Ever since the Cavaliers landed point guard Maurice Williams, there have been rumors that they are talking to the Knicks about a big man, according to The Morning Journal.

New York has a number of big men on the roster, including Eddy Curry, Jerome James, David Lee, Zach Randolph and Malik Rose.

The Knicks have signed a two-year deal with Skidmore College to hold their training camp on campus, according to The Daily Gazette.

"We?re all set," said athletic director Gail Cummings-Danson. "It?s going to be terrific. The Knicks are excited about this, and so are we. I think it?s going to be a great relationship for both sides."

This year's camp is scheduled for Sept. 29 to Oct. 4.

The Knicks had held their training camp in Charleston, S.C., for the last 17 years, but reportedly wanted to move their camp closer to home.

In the past Stephon Marbury has spoken about signing in Europe once he becomes a free agent, which at the time most considered a far fetched notion.  But this offseason, where a handful of players have turned down NBA contracts for more money in Europe, has made the possibility seem a little more realistic.

According to the New York Post, Marbury's plans certainly have not wavered, with the current Knick pin pointing Milan as his preferred destination of choice.

"People just didn't understand and didn't know (last summer)," said Marbury. "When I made comments about playing overseas people took it out of perspective, thought I was talking about leaving while still playing for the Knicks. It was turned into something negative about going to Italy. Now it seems it's OK."

"Why wouldn't you want to play basketball, still make money and live in a place that's beautiful," Marbury added. "Milan is definitely where I want to play basketball at. That's where I fell in love with Italy."