NEW YORK — It's pathetically entertaining to read speculation regarding which teams might take Stephon Marbury and what toxic waste may possibly be dumped in New York.

Topping that twisted recreation for me is reading revelations in newspapers, The Oregonian, for example, disclosing GM Kevin Prichard isn't all that interested in Marbury and prefers to stick with the squad he's assembled.

Who would've thought?

The rest of us figured Marbury was the missing piece to the Blazers' puzzle.

Or might that be Darius Miles?

How's Shawn Kemp's comeback coming?

Gary Payton's a free agent; why not a story on how Prichard isn't sure he's a good fit either.

I've got news for NBA investigating reporters who might want to turn their attention to unearthing something more productive:

Other than the Knicks, there was no market whatsoever for Marbury when he played in Phoenix and there's less than that now.

In fact, the financially strapped Suns were so desperate to slash his long-term obligation from their salary cap to make the team more attractive to sell, Jerry and Bryan Colangelo offered to include Amare Stoudemire during his infancy.

By the time Isiah Thomas assumed control of Knicks personnel decisions Stoudemire was out of bounds.

In his zealousness to generate a speedy splash in his new position that fans and the media (I know I was down) would embrace, Thomas accepted Penny Hardaway as an additional price for acquiring Marbury.

We all know the result; since Jan. 5, 2004, the Knicks have made the playoffs once (zero wins), Jerry Colangelo sold the fiscally slimed down Suns for a sizzling $401 million, and incoming owner Robert Saver used his inherited cap flexibility to transform the team into a championship contender through seemingly inflated investments in free agents Steve Nash and Raja Bell.

Think Mark Cuban wishes he would have given Nash that extra guaranteed year?

Clearly, the Mavericks remained an elite team after the two-time MVP left.

Clearly, Devin Harris (Tony Parker filed a restraining order against him after Thursday's 1-for-11 lockdown from the field) and Jason Terry (serious Sixth Man competition for Manu Ginobili and Marbury) don't do what Nash does best (find cutters open before they know they open) just as Steve doesn't quite defend like Devin.

That brings this disjointed journalist back to Marbury; reality be realized — and this sadly might sum up everything you don't want to know about your Knicks — he's still the most multitalented guard when in the mood on site.

Nevertheless, finding a taker for his tantrums and two-year debt ($19,012,500 million and $20,840,625 million) is out of the question.

That is, unless the Knicks are eligible receivers to catch their own outcast.

* * * * *

"IF KOBE thinks the Lakers' talent is lacking, he should check out what Dwyane Wade gets to go to war with in Miami," e-mails Gregg Siegel.

"Outside of Udonis Haslem, the rest of the team is comprised of the old (Penny, Shaq, Zo) and there's the restless (Ricky Davis, Jason Williams, Mark Blount, Dorell Wright).

"If I'm Wade, I'm demanding Pat Riley trade me to L.A. so I can play with Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar."

By the looks of how Shaq conducted himself last week against the Spurs I kinda suspected he might be nearing the end.

When Shaq's contract expires in three seasons (counting this one) Mickey Arison will have transferred $130 million into O'Neal's account for the pleasure of celebrating a single championship sensation.

Who says it's not worth it?

When you're in that tax bracket the money is irrelevant; it's all about savoring supreme success. Who knows better than me!

One longtime Heat observer believes Shaq will call it a career after this season and give up the remaining $40 million over two years.

Not in a divorce year he won't.

Peter Vecsey covers the NBA for the New York Post.