A variety of Internet reports are saying that free-agent point guard Baron Davis will, as had been rumored in recent days, sign a contract with the New York Knicks. ESPN New York and SI.com have both reported that the 32-year-old Davis will join the Knicks.
SI reported that the Knicks wooed Davis by using their $2.5 million exception rather than offering him the veteran minimum contract of $1.4 million.
Davis played last season for the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 13.1 points and 6.7 assists in 58 games. Davis was waived recently by the Cavaliers using the amnesty clause negotiated in the new CBA.
The Knicks have been searching for point guard help since using their own amnesty clause to waive Chauncey Billups and clear cap space to sign center Tyson Chandler. They recently added MIke Bibby, who averaged just 8.6 points and 3.3 assists in 68 combined games for three teams last season.
Davis should have more in the tank than Bibby, and could be a good fit for Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced offense. The problem is no one knows when the oft-injured Davis will be available. He has a bulging disc in his back and there are reports he could be lost for anywhere from four to 10 weeks.
Still, D'Antoni has said the Knicks "have the ability to win it all" in this shortened NBA season. If the Knicks think Davis is an upgrade over Bibby and Toney Douglas, which he should be if healthy, this could be a gamble worth taking.