NBA

With Crawford gone, Davis may be next for Knicks

The Knicks lost out on Jamal Crawford yesterday, lost out on Shawne Williams today,

but could be on the verge of landing veteran sore-backed point guard Baron Davis by the weekend.

After Crawford, as expected, ruled out the Knicks because their offer was not competitive, they turned their attention to Williams, offering him the $2.5 million exception. However, Williams chose to sign with the Nets over the Knicks. He could be the starting small forward in New Jersey.

The Cavaliers finally pulled the trigger on the back-impaired Davis, using the amnesty clause on the former All-Star. The Knicks have interest in Davis for the $1.4M veteran’s minimum, but he has to clear through the bidding process from under-the-cap teams.

If he is not bid on, Davis, 32, would be a free agent and likely will choose the Knicks, according to sources. Davis has a back injury of conflicting severity. Agent Todd Ramasar has told several media outlets, including The Post, he could be out up to eight-to-10 weeks with a possible herniated disk.

But some sources believe it’s not as severe and the dire prognostications is to scare off rebuilding, under-the-cap clubs from bidding.

Two people familiar with the situation told The Post that Davis just needs rest, is suffering from a bulging disk and could be back on the court as soon as two weeks.

Either way, it’s low-risk, high-reward for the Knicks, who think they can contend for the championship with another backcourt upgrade. Toney Douglas is starting point guard and there’s concern about his consistency in reading defenses.

Davis may need to play in some pain, but at his best, he is dynamic and dominant if not defensive-minded. Davis hopes not to be thrown into a rebuilding situation. It would make no sense to have a disgruntled Davis for either party.

Davis, wearing his well-publicized hipster glasses, attended a handful of labor negotiations in Manhattan. “He’s always loved New York,’’ one source said.

“It is a serious issue,’’ Ramasar told The Post of Davis’ back. “His health is the main priority to get back to the court.’’

Early last night, the Knicks were informed Crawford had ruled the Knicks out and was considering substantially larger offers than their $2.5 million exception from Sacramento and Portland. The Kings offered $6.5 million for one year and the Blazers two years, at $10 million. A source said the Knicks were never a serious option at $2.5 million.

It’s possible agent Andy Miller, who was upset at the Knicks’ treatment of his client Chauncey Billups, used the threat of the Knicks to drive up the bids of the Kings and Blazers.

Williams was weighed the Knicks’ offer of the $2.5 million exception for two years. However, an NBA source said his ego was bruised the past five days because of the Crawford chatter and felt like a “stepchild.’’ Williams also factored in the increased role he’d have in Newark, compared to the crowded Knick rotation.