Pacers to add Amundson, trade Rush to Golden State

The Indiana Pacers will trade guard Brandon Rush to the Golden State Warriors for forward Louis Amundson, a former UNLV player.

Mark Bartelstein, the agent for both players, confirmed the move Sunday.

"This is a great fit for both guys," Bartelstein said.

Amundson has averaged 4.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in five seasons, primarily with Philadelphia, Phoenix and Golden State. He's shot 52 percent from the field for his career.

"The Pacers probably needed another big (man)," Bartelstein said. "Louis is a high-energy guy that gets you extra possessions. He's a great athlete, a really good NBA player."

Rush averaged 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in three seasons for the Pacers. The Pacers considered him part of the core group of young players, but the team eventually added enough talent at his position to make him expendable.

Bartelstein said Pacers president Larry Bird and general manager David Morway worked to find an ideal setting for Rush once Paul George emerged as a starter and the team added guard George Hill in a draft-night trade.

"The Pacers have been talking about this for quite a while," Bartelstein said. "I really appreciate Larry and David for trying to find a good home for Brandon. They're loaded at the position. Brandon is a really talented guy who needs to play."

Rush showed great potential, but also found trouble. He was suspended for the first five games last season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

■ KNICKS -- Point guard Baron Davis will sign with New York, a person with knowledge of his plans said. ESPN.com first reported Davis' intentions.

Davis is expected to sign today, the person told The Associated Press.

Davis was waived last week by the Cleveland Cavaliers under the NBA's new amnesty clause, which allows teams to rid themselves of troublesome contracts without hindering their salary caps.

Davis was not claimed and chose the Knicks, who are seeking more backcourt depth after waiving Chauncey Billups under 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 would 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 (Davis) can do when he's healthy and when he's focused," Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony said.

But Davis 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.