Tyson Chandler, a longtime buddy of Baron Davis from Los Angeles, gave his endorsement yesterday of the Knicks signing the free-agent point guard. Davis became a free agent Friday night after clearing amnesty waivers, and the Knicks hope to hear from him tomorrow.
“I think if we can land him, it would be a good addition,’’ Chandler told The Post. “He’s a big player, smart, a veteran. When Baron gets going, he’s one of the best point guards in the league.’’
Asked if Davis is a difference-maker, Chandler said, “He definitely could be.’’
One day after boasting about winning a championship this season, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said he would be surprised if Davis didn’t think the Knicks were a worthy destination.
“Who doesn’t like New York?,’’ D’Antoni said. “We got a pretty intriguing team.’’
The Knicks surely like Davis, who hung out with Chandler a few times a month during the lockout. They met when Chandler was a freshman at Dominguez High in the L.A. area and Davis was a freshman at UCLA.
“If it does get closer and he needs some advice, I’ll definitely give it to him,’’ Chandler said.
All indications are Davis considers the Knicks his No. 1 choice, though the Lakers and Heat are not too far behind.
As long as the Knicks medical staff signs off on Davis’ disk problems, the club will make an offer for the $1.4 million veteran exception or the $2.5 million room exception. Their previous prime target with the $2.5M exception, ex-Net Travis Outlaw, was claimed last night off amnesty waivers by the Kings.
The Knicks still need a backup forward, and James Posey and Bostjan Nachbar, who played for D’Antoni in Italy, are on their list. But Posey may return to Boston, where he won a title, to replace Jeff Green (heart surgery).
“It will be something the medical staff will evaluate,’’ D’Antoni said of Davis before the Knicks routed the Nets, 92-83, in their preseason opener yesterday at Prudential Center. “It’s worth the risk of exploring it. He’s a very good basketball player.’’
The Post reported Friday an NBA source believes Davis could be on the court in as few as four to six weeks.