LAS VEGAS — Stephon Marbury's future remains unresolved, but the New York Knicks are on the verge of moving another big contract — Zach Randolph's. A person close to the situation confirmed yesterday that the Los Angeles Clippers have approached the Knicks about acquiring Randolph in an effort to make up for the sudden loss of Elton Brand to free agency.

The story was first reported yesterday by SI.com, which said Knicks President Donnie Walsh turned down the Clippers' offer. It was not known which players would be going to the Knicks in the deal, but it would not have to be a salary match because the Clippers are well under the cap. Randolph has three years and $48 million left on his contract.

The Knicks, with an eye on being in the same position by 2010, would not accept contracts that go beyond that year in return for Randolph, who averaged 17.6 points and 10.3 rebounds last season. He was acquired from Portland by Isiah Thomas on draft night in 2007 for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.

It is believed that Walsh was hoping to pry Eric Gordon, the seventh overall pick in the NBA draft, as part of the deal. That move seems unlikely, but it is expected that Walsh will talk again with the Clippers, who also are participating in the NBA Summer League here.

The source said Walsh has been "very active" in trade discussions and is "looking at these types of transactions constantly." Marbury also is brought up in trade discussions, but most teams interested in the 31-year-old point guard would rather wait for the Knicks to buy him out of the final year and $21.9 million left on his contract, then tender him a veteran's minimum contract.

Marbury came out last night for the Knicks' summer league team's first practice and spoke about the uncertainty of his future with an understanding tone.

"I've expressed everything I could possibly say: I love New York, I want to play basketball here, but I understand it's a business, and in this business, things happen," he said. "I don't take it personally. I'll just continue to do what I do."

But as far as he knows: "Right now, I've been told that I'm going to be playing basketball here."

Coach Mike D'Antoni would go only as far as to say Marbury "is on the team" and that the signing of Chris Duhon is not related to Marbury's status.