If the Knicks can’t get Jamal Crawford to accept their $2.5 million exception or have his agent, Andy Miller, help swing a three-team trade, interim general manager Glen Grunwald has a fallback plan — sore-backed point guard Baron Davis.
Sources said Davis will either be waived via the amnesty clause or waived outright Friday. The latter is better for the Knicks.
“They’re watching and waiting,’’ one NBA source said of the Knicks.
Davis arrived to training camp with a back injury and the Cavs physical reportedly showed it could take a few weeks to heal. Davis, who is seeking a second opinion, has told confidants the Knicks are his first choice — if it is his choice.
If Davis is an amnesty cut, teams under the cap can submit bids. The Knicks are now over the cap and can only get Davis if there are no bids and he falls to free agency. If the Cavs simply waive him, he would be available to sign immediately. Agent Todd Ramasar’s concern now is Davis’ health, but the Knicks don’t seem as worried.
Grunwald confirmed the Knicks’ pursuit of Crawford and executive Mark Warkentien spoke with the former Knick at Crawford’s Seattle home.
“We’d love to have him back here,’’ Grunwald said. “We’ll see where that goes. It’s a situation that’s still developing.’’
The Post reported yesterday Crawford originally rejected the Knicks’ $2.5 million offer, and acquiring him seems a long shot without a sign-and-trade. As reported yesterday, Toney Douglas would not be included.
J.J. Barea passed on the Knicks $2.5 million offer to sign a four-year, $18 million deal with Minnesota. Crawford’s market value is at least in that range.
The Pacers, Blazers and Wolves are also in contention for Crawford, who wants to return to the Knicks. If they lose out, the Knicks may re-sign Shawne Williams.
Meanwhile, the Clippers had the winning bid on the unhappy Chauncey Billups and will pay $2 million of the $14.2 million the Knicks owe him.
Center Jerome Jordan, who The Post reported Saturday agreed to terms, didn’t practice yesterday as he waits for his Slovenian buyout.