Despite his wretched stint in Miami last season, the Knicks will roll the dice on point guard Mike Bibby. Bibby signed a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum of $1.4 million with the Knicks on Sunday.
As reported in yesterday’s Post, the Knicks do not view Bibby as a starter over Toney Douglas.
There’s also a possibility of adding another point guard, and there has even been an inquiry into one of the top remaining free agents, ex-Knick combo guard Jamal Crawford. The Knicks would have to swing a sign-and-trade with Atlanta to pay Crawford, who would be willing to take less to return. It’s unclear if the Hawks want any of the Knicks’ assets, though Douglas is an Atlanta native. New assistant coach Mike Woodson coached Crawford and Bibby.
According to sources, the Knicks have inquired about Dallas point guard J.J. Barea, but are longshots in offering all they have — the new $2.5 million mini mid-level. The Knicks have been told by Barea’s camp bigger offers are on the table, but they haven’t entirely given up.
The Knicks don’t seem interested in Baron Davis, a likely amnesty candidate who has already injured himself in training camp. The Knicks are still monitoring Anthony Parker’s situation, but also are considering using the $2.5 million on re-signing Shawne Williams.
“It’s a good name, he’s a veteran point guard,’’ coach Mike D’Antoni said of Bibby yesterday.
When asked about Bibby’s train-wreck stint in Miami, D’Antoni said: “I have lot of confidence in him. He’s a smart player who can shoot the basketball. You know what you’re going to get. Did he have a great year last year? I didn’t follow it that much what he did in Miami.’’
D’Antoni must have missed the NBA Finals, when Bibby shot 25.8 percent, played poor defense and averaged 3.6 points in a starting role. Bibby played the final 22 games of the season with the Heat and did get them to The Finals.
The Knicks’ need for another point guard arose when Chauncey Billups was officially waived yesterday via the amnesty clause to make room under the cap for Tyson Chandler. The Knicks also dispatched point guard Andy Rautins to Dallas in the sign-and-trade for Chandler.
A bitter Billups told ESPN he could retire “if I get claimed by a team I don’t want to play for.’’
Interim general manager Glen Grunwald said he spoke to Billups yesterday to explain his treatment.
“When I talked to him today, I told him, ‘Chauncey, it’s not like we’re waiving you because we don’t want you,’ ’’ Grunwald said. “Look at what it is. We traded you for the starting center on the NBA championship team.’’
Billups said he’d relish facing the Knicks in the playoffs.
“I would like a chance at them, I’ll tell you that much,” Billups said. “I
would absolutely love that.”