The NBA free agency period officially began at 12:00 AM EST. When that happened, the biggest surprise was Golden State Warriors PG Baron Davis opting out of his contract that guaranteed $18 million. Davis is 29 years old and coming off a 22 PPG effort that left Golden State just short of the Western Conference playoffs.
According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Davis’s decision was fueled largely in part to his displeasure with Warriors head coach Don Nelson, and his desire to gain a contract extension.
In that same report, Davis also said he would love to play in New York for the Knicks.
This is certainly an intriguing move for the Knicks…I am a Baron Davis fan, and I think he would provide two huge needs for the team: 1) a legitimate point guard and 2) a leader. However, for this move to happen the Knicks would have to do a sign and trade in which Golden State would take on a comparable per year contract. I am not sure that can or will happen.
UPDATE (July 2): Wow, that rumor died quickly. Various news outlets are reporting that Davis has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers. Oh well, maybe Donnie Walsh and the front office have their sights on getting under the salary cap…seriously.
Filed under: NBA - Knicks, Writer - Tim Sharobem
