New York Knicks poised to sign Baron Davis – NBA Update
Star point guard Baron Davis will most likely feature in a New York Knicks jersey next season. According to sources close to the situation, the player is close to agreeing terms with the Knicks after he was waived by the Cleveland
Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers used an amnesty clause in the new collective bargaining agreement to buy ought the contract of Davis and get some salary cap space free in order to go after other targets. Davis was owed around $30 million, $27 million
of which was guaranteed. The Cavs will have to pay out the money but it will not count against their salary cap.
"We would like to thank Baron for his contributions to the team during his time in Cleveland," Cavs general manager Chris Grant said in a statement Wednesday night. "He has been an absolute professional since the day he joined
the Cavs and we now wish him the best in the future."
The Cavaliers had flirted with the idea of keeping Baron for another year to help ease in Kyrie Irving, the highly rated no. 1 pick of the 2011 NBA draft. However, his large contract proved too much of a burden to bear and it seems
like now the Knicks will take advantage.
New York have seen a turnaround in fortunes since last summer, attractive super star players like Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire to the franchise. They strengthened further this off season with the acquisition of centre
Tyson Chandler.
The Knicks had to let go of Chauncey Billups through the amnesty clause because of salary cap issues but are now primed to replace the veteran with Davis. Carmelo Anthony certainly thinks that Davis is a huge asset, as he regards
him to be one of the best point guards in the NBA.
"Everybody knows what he can do when he's healthy and when he's focused," he said, before news of the deal was announced. "I was here for two months last year and we played (the Cavaliers) quite a bit of time when I got here and
he was healthy then. They beat us and he was a big part of those wins.”
"When BD (Davis) is healthy, he's one of the best."
Davis has always been talented and his ability hasn’t really been called into question. However, the player has a reputation of being moody and is believed to slack off at times. He had spoken over the summer about ending his career
on a winning note and now it looks like he has the opportunity to play for a real title contender in the New York Knicks.
Apart from the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat were also interested in signing the point guard.
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