Mike D’Antoni is not planning on having point guard Baron Davis before the All-Star break. The veteran point guard suffered a setback in his rehab from a herniated disc, the Knicks coach confirmed Monday morning.

“I think we had a little bit of a setback, safe to say, but I don’t know how bad,” D‘Antoni said. “”They (want him to rest) for three or four days to let it calm back down and if it calms down, we’ll pick up where he left off and go through the process of practicing.

“We’re still a week to ten days out when the process start, hopefully that’s tomorrow, but I don’t know.” (Knicks Knation – NY Daily News)

I’m kind of indifferent on this. Would I like to see Baron Davis on the court helping the Knicks get better? Of course. Do I think he’ll make enough of a difference to make this team a contender? Not a chance in hell.

So basically if he’s on the court that’s cool, if not whatever it’s no big deal.

There had been some “reports” that the Sixers had inquired about New York Knick star Amare Stoudemire’s availability. When contacted yesterday, Sixers president of basketball operations Rod Thorn said: “Nothing going on at this time. I don’t know where that stuff came from.” (Bob Cooney – Philly.com)

So it was all just pure selection but I tell you what. I’m pretty sure the contacted the Knicks to see what they’ve got going on. Thorn would only be doing his job to call each team and see what players could be available.

On the play, his man Tayshaun Prince got caught up in a pick at the three point line which freed Anthony along the baseline. Greg Monroe tried to come over on help defense but it was already to late as Melo was in the air on route to slamming one home.

The Knicks, who are now pursuing a forward to play off the bench, have expressed interest former Nets player Travis Outlaw if he clears the amnesty waiver process, according to an NBA source.

The Knicks could offer Outlaw their $2.5 million exception that has already been turned down by Grant Hill, Jamal Crawford and Shawne WIlliams.

The Knicks are desperate for another bench player, especially with sixth man Billy Walker missing the past four practices with a groin strain.

“They have a shot (at Outlaw),” the source said.

Outlaw was the Nets’ amnesty cut Thursday. He was signed as a free agent in 2010 and did not find success with New Jersey.

Mike D’Antoni said the Knicks are looking less for a shooting guard and more at the 3 and 4 forward positions (New York Post)

While would have been happier with Shawne Williams back on the team, I’ll take Outlaw if it happens. He adds some more size and can play either of the forward positions. He’ll provide some much needed depth to a team that sorely needs it.

The only problem I have is that he’s another player who can contribute offensively but isn’t going to provide much on the defensive side of the ball. The one area where the Knicks really need improvement.

R

@JasonLloydABJ: Baron Davis has been amnestied by the #Cavs

Now the big question is what teams are going to bid on the point guard. I’m thinking not many, if any and that’s mainly because of the back issue.

I know many New York Knicks fans are probably thinking why wouldn’t we put in a bid, we could use a point guard. Well put it simply they can’t, there is indeed interest but they can’t. Only teams under the salary cap can put in a bid.

@alanhahn: There is definite mutual interest between Baron Davis and the #Knicks, multiple sources tell Newsday. Must clear waivers first, though.

If he does indeed clear waivers I’m thinking he winds up with the Knicks. Davis averaged 6.7 assists per game last season and that kind of production would be huge for New York. The combination of him and Mike Bibby would also give them a lot of veteran depth, depth they lack after the Tyson Chandler trade.

Grant Hill has his free agent Final Four, according to sources: the incumbent Suns, the Clippers, the Bulls and the Knicks. Each provides its own opportunities. (David Aldridge – NBA.com)

What I’ll do is just list each team and what they can bring.

Phoenix – Well he’s played there for a few years now and thanks to team trainer Aaron Nelson he’s been on the court for all but three games. After the disaster in Orlando, he’s got to love that. According to Aldridge, Hill also really likes to play with Steve Nash. There’s one big factor that can’t be overlooked his former agent, Lon Babby is the teams president.

Chicago – They had the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2010-11 so they obviously give Hill a chance to win that elusive championship. On top of that the team is a defensive juggernaut, only giving up 91.3 points which was good for second in the NBA. One of Hill’s strong suits is defense but with a team that good, he can just blend in instead of having to always guard the other teams top players. Something he’d have to do with the …..

New York Knicks – The Knicks were the third worst defensive team last season giving up 105.7 points. So yea, Hill would most likely be asked to guard the other teams leading scorer night in and night out, which would take its toll on him. On the flip side, he’ll be getting to play with Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire. A third wheel with them could catapult the Knicks to an Eastern Conference leader. Knicks also offer Hill the New York market. A place where he could easily make a lot of extra money in endorsements.

Los Angeles Clippers – They’re a young up and coming team that could use some real veteran leadership. That’s something Hill could provide and he’d get to play with the most exciting guy in the NBA, Blake Griffin.

Personally, I think he’ll wind up back in Phoenix. The Bulls have to worry about Derrick Rose, while the Knicks are still trying to save money for next years free agent class. The Clippers could outspend the Suns but at this point in his career I doubt money is what Hill is after.

Crawford is one of the top available free agents, and according to a source close to the veteran shooting guard, he prefers returning to the New York area if he does not re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks. Miller, due to his location, has close ties to both the Knicks’ and Nets’ organizations. (NY Daily News)

The NY Daily News articles mentions the New Jersey Nets being a possibility and personally I think that’s probably his best option.

The Nets have plenty of cap room and a HUGE need for talent. Their offense absolutely blows, only scorer they have is point guard Deron Williams. The combination of these two will at least give them an explosive backcourt. It would also help open up the under the basket area for Brooks Lopez and Kris Humphries (if he returns) as teams would really have to guard the perimeter.

Adding Crawford to that trio would give the Nets a nice core for when they move to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season. A year that the Nets would definitely want to transition from a 24 win cellar dweller to a playoff contender. It would also give them a chance to one up the Knicks, if they actually are interested.

In my opinion, the Knicks will kick their tires on it but nothing will happen. Only way they’ll be able to bring Crawford in is the mid level exception (which I highly doubt he would take) or a sign and trade. A sign and trade that would undoubtedly eat cap space and take away bargaining chips that they’d like to use for a Chris Paul or Dwight Howard.

Only thing for certain is this, if Crawford does return to New York there are no hard feelings for his trade to Golden State after just 11 games.

“Why not? I don’t think the trade was personal,” he said. “It was all about 2010 and the players you can possibly get. I love Atlanta. I want to work out an extension here, but if I become a free agent it’s not the end of the world.” (NY Daily News)

“If you look at the playoffs with Dallas, you saw what Tyson Chandler did,” Dalembert said, referring to the 7-foot-1 center who helped the Mavs beat the Heat in six games for the title last June. “He was basically a key ingredient for them to win a championship. And Miami didn’t have somebody like that. Somebody able to stop (foes from) getting second shots and somebody able to rebound and finish. I could fill that role and be an asset for that team.” (FOX Sports Florida)

Samuel made some great points in that quote and I’m sure the Heat had already thought of those before the lockout even ended. Question is was Dalembert the player they were hiring to help fix that. That I’m not sure.

There are only two things I’m sure of here. Dalembert wants to play for a team who can make the playoffs, preferably contend for the title like the Heat. The other is that he’ll have to take a paycut if that’s what his goal.

The Heat would only be able to offer Samuel the teams mid-level exception, just like another one of the teams he’s considering.

“It’s one of my options as well,” Dalembert said of New York, where he spent portions of the offseason working out with Elton Brand, his one-time teammate in Philadelphia. “It’s a building process. It can be similar to Miami when they get all the pieces together. It’s something that can work and they need a big,” he said, adding that if the Knicks get a quality center, Amar’e Stoudemire can play less at center and more at his natural position of power forward. (FOX Sports Florida)

I have no doubt Samuel will have no shortage of options, he also mentions the Houston Rockets as a preferred landing spot. Most teams in the NBA would love to have a seven foot center, who scores eight points a game, eight rebounds and just under two blocks a game. The guy is a nightmare for opposing offenses.

The question is does he care more about the money or the winning. He made over $13 million while playing for Sacramento in 2010-11, I doubt he makes anywhere near that for the 2011-12 season. So does he take even less to play for a winner?

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