Report: Knicks to sign guard Davis on Monday

NEW YORK (AP) -- Point guard Baron Davis will sign with the New York Knicks, a person with knowledge of his plans said Sunday.

ESPN.com first reported Davis' intentions.

Davis is expected to sign Monday, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there won't be an announcement until the signing is official.

Davis was waived last week by the Cleveland Cavaliers and designated as their amnesty player. He was not claimed and chose the Knicks, who are seeking more backcourt depth after waiving Chauncey Billups with the amnesty clause. New York had already signed another veteran point guard, Mike Bibby.

It's unknown when Davis will play, as he's been sidelined all preseason by a bulging disc in his back. But he'd be worth the risk if healthy, especially since the Knicks can only offer him at most the new two-year exception that would pay him $2.5 million in the first year.

"Everybody knows what he can do when he's healthy and when he's focused," Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony said earlier Sunday, recalling a loss to Davis and the Cavaliers last season. "When BD is healthy, he's one of the best."

But he wasn't needed in Cleveland after the Cavaliers won the draft lottery and took Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick. By making Davis their amnesty player, the Cavs knocked the $28 million he was owed over the next two seasons off their salary cap.

The Knicks are prepared to go with Toney Douglas as their starting point guard, but the third-year player is inconsistent, shooting just 2 for 6 for five points in New York's 92-83 exhibition victory over New Jersey on Saturday.