It has been rumored that Golden State point guard Baron Davis is interested in playing for the Knicks. On Friday there was a report that guard Monta Ellis feels the same way, according to Newsday.

Ellis, 22, could look to explore other options when he becomes a restricted free-agent in July, and a league source told Newsday that the combo guard is intrigued by Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo system.

The only thing New York could offer Ellis is the mid-level exception, that is, if they want to jeopardize getting under the cap before the 2010 season.

If a midlevel offer doesn't work, Donnie Walsh could try to orchestrate a sign-and-trade with the Warriors in order to acquire Ellis.

The Knicks will undoubtedly be shopping for a point guard this summer, and Baron Davis might be an unexpected option for Donnie Walsh and Co., according to a report in Newsday.

A person with knowledge of the situation revealed to Newsday that Davis has been inquiring about the interest of teams in his services, with the Knicks listed as one of those teams.

Davis has an opt out clause in his contract, but he isn't expected to exercise it. That would leave a sign-and-trade as the lone option for New York should they pursue acquiring him.

The Knicks don't have cap space, but enough room could be freed up if Walsh can find someone to take on the monstrous contract of Stephon Marbury, which will expire next summer.

There are rumblings in Southern California that the Warriors might be secretly hoping that point guard Baron Davis decides to opt out of his contract this summer, according to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post.

There are two theories as to why Coach Don Nelson benched Davis in the second half of the team's late-season loss to the Suns that ended their playoff hopes.

One is that Nelson was "punishing" Davis for not getting proper rest the night before; the other is that Nellie was hoping to push Baron towards opting out and becoming a free agent.

Davis will be owed $17.8 million next season if he doesn't opt out of his current deal, money that executive Chris Mullin could certainly use in order to keep young guys like Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Matt Barnes, and Mickael Pietrus in town.

Davis has repeatedly stated that he wants to remain a Warrior, but agent Todd Ramasar expressed a need for his client to reconsider his position.

Todd Ramasar, the agent for point guard Baron Davis, failed to make any headway while meeting with the Warriors on Thursday and believes that his client could opt out of his contract and become a free agent, according to The San Mateo County Times.

"After sitting down with the Warriors organization (Thursday) regarding Baron's future, I don't know what direction the Warriors are going," Ramasar said. "Baron is adamant about remaining a Warrior but based on my conversations with the team (Thursday), we have to consider all of his options."

Another source close to Davis claimed that there is a '50-50' chance that the All-Star will become a free agent this summer and pursue other offers.

Davis will make $17.8 million next season if he elects not to opt out of the final year of the six-year pact he signed as a member of the New Orleans Hornets.

Golden State's Mickael Pietrus drew interest from the Heat last summer as a restricted free agent and will be a UFA this summer.  They are likely to express interest in the small forward again this year.

RealGM Note: Pietrus was ranked 218th amongst all players according to our FIC and had a -24% Reina Value.  With a per 40 FIC of 10.8 (just over the league median), Pietrus 'deserved' to make $2.75 million in 07-08.