Mike Bibby has agreed in principle to a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum of $1.4M, according to an NBA source.
As reported in today’s Post, the Knicks do not necessarily view Bibby as a starter over Toney Douglas and they will likely fight it out for the job. There’s also a possibility of adding another PG, but an NBA source said they are not in the hunt to land Dallas’ J.J. Barea despite internet chatter.
The Knicks only have the $2.5M mini exception for teams under the salary cap. Because of the Tyson Chandler deal, they forfeited their $5M mid-level exception that could have landed Barea.
“It’s a good name, he’s a veteran point guard,” Mike D’Antoni said at the press conference for Tyson Chandler.
The Knicks need for another PG arose when Chauncey Billups was officially waived yesterday via the amnesty clause to make room under the cap. The Knicks also dispatched young PG Andy Rautins to Dallas as part of the Chandler, three-team sign and trade.
The Knicks were in talks since last night with Bibby’s agent David Falk, who ironically is also the representative for Toney Douglas.
Bibby could actually find himself in a bench role, according to a source, because of the Knicks’ new emphasis on defense. Douglas is a tenacious defender and prides himself on that end of the court. Falk wouldn’t mind Bibby having a backup role to Douglas, who has a team option next season.
The Tyson Chandler package that ruins their cap space for 2012 helps Douglas’ long-term future with the Knicks because they likely will exercise the option instead of clearing space.