In addition to possibly giving the Knicks a massive upgrade at point guard, Baron Davis could allow them to add a much-needed backup forward, as well.
Because the Knicks were able to sign Davis for the veteran’s minimum of $1.4 million, they still can use their $2.5 million exception to lure another free agent, with veteran James Posey the current top target.
Davis had originally agreed to signing for the $2.5 million exception on Sunday, but was later convinced to accept the veteran’s minimum to allow the Knicks to continue to chase Posey or another free agent.
If the Knicks had signed Davis for the $2.5 million exception, it would have all-but eliminated the Knicks from having a chance at signing Posey, who won titles with the Heat and Celtics and is a hot target on the open market after the Pacers used the amnesty clause in the new collective bargaining agreement to release him last week.
But league sources said that the Knicks are among several teams still in play for Posey, who cleared waivers, because they still have the $2.5 million exception. The 6-foot-8 forward is able to play either forward spot.
“It’s something that makes sense,” coach Mike D’Antoni said of adding another forward. “I know that [Knicks general manager] Glen [Grunwald] will look at it and address all the avenues, and if we can get a guy a that’s great. If not, we’re fine.”
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One Knick who was especially happy to see Davis arrive with the Knicks is newly acquired center Tyson Chandler. The two men have been friends since they were teens growing up in and around Los Angeles.
“When I was coming in as a freshman in high school, he was going in as a freshman at UCLA,” Chandler said. “I would stay over at his house, stay at his dorm, work out with him a he kind of played big brother to me while I was coming up.”
Once Davis was put on amnesty waivers by Cleveland last week, Chandler reached out to his old friend to try and convince him to join him with the Knicks.
“I talked to him before everything went through,” Chandler said. “I said, ‘Look, man. If we’ve got an opportunity to get you, I would love to have you here. You can definitely help us.’ We went back and forth, and then next thing I know, it’s like, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.'”
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Yahoo! Sports reported last night forward Steve Novak, who was released by the Spurs, would likely sign with the Knicks if he cleared waivers. the 6-foot-10 forward is an excellent 3-point shooter, making him a good fit for D’Antoni’s offense.
In fact, Novak tweeted last night “next stop NY” before deleting it.