Donnie Walsh does not want to lock up players long term this offseason, and that said, he's going to use the mid-level exception and also explore sign and trade opportunities to land a point guard and some shot blocking help for the Knicks, the New York Post is reporting.

One potential target appears to be Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors.  For Ellis to become a member of the Knicks, he would have to be a sign and trade since Ellis is a restricted free agent, and the Warriors are sure to match any offer for the young guard.

Other options include Sebastian Telfair, Kyle Lowry, Chris Duhon, Keyon Dooling, Tyronn Lue, and Kirk Hinrich although some are not free agents and would need to be acquired via trade.

Memphis has a glut of guards now that they acquired O.J. Mayo from Minnesota while Chicago is in a similar predicament after striking it lucky and drafting Derrick Rose first overall.

The Warriors have been active in trade talks leading up to the draft, especially with their $10 million trade exception set to expire Monday.

Golden State is drafting 14th in Thursday's draft.

The Pistons claim that there was no truth to a report that they were talking to the Golden State Warriors about a trade involving Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Baron Davis, and Al Harrington. The two sides haven't even talked, according to a Pistons source.

The Pistons are reportedly looking to deal for Golden State point guard Baron Davis, according to the Oakland Tribune

Davis is not expected to opt-out of his contract, meaning that he will play out the final year of his deal worth $17.8 million.

After getting the cold shoulder from the Nuggets regarding Carmelo Anthony, the Pistons are rumored to be focused on Davis currently.

Likely pieces in the deal would be Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, and Al Harrington.

Chris Mullin promised again that Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis won't get away during their restricted free agency, even if they get maximum offers.

"They will be matched," Mullin said.

Sources say the Cavs have been active in trade talks in days leading up to the draft.

If the Warriors made forward/center Al Harrington available, the Cavs might have an interest.

Guard Kelenna Azubuike has decided to opt out of his contract, making him a restricted free-agent this summer, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

He joins teammates Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins in free agency. Azubuike made $797,581 last season and is looking at a nice raise after posting 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

"I think everybody would hope that it would get done early," said Mike Higgins, who represents Azubuike. "But I don't envy them because they have a lot on their plate. Just like with any team, they only have a certain amount of dollars to spend, and a lot of guys to sign."

It's possible that the Memphis Grizzlies will make a run at Golden State guard Monta Ellis this summer, according to The Examiner.

He will become a restricted free agent this summer, and while team President Chris Mullin is hopeful that he'll be able to retain the star, he could command quite a bit of money on the market.

The Grizzlies have a lot of cash, and they play roughly three hours from Monta's hometown of Jackson, Miss. The team is reportedly adamant about targeting the explosive guard.

It is believed that if Memphis presents Ellis with an offer sheet of more than $10 million, Golden State may be forced to part ways with the guard.

The Golden State Warriors have decided not to exercise their third-year option on Patrick O'Bryant, according to The Pioneer Press.

O'Bryant was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. The Warriors could still trade the center, but the move also means that the team could target a big man in this month's draft.

Australian man-mountain Nathan Jawai, expected to be a late first round pick by some, has held a private workout with the Golden State Warriors, the official Australian Basketball League website is reporting.

Jawai is projected as a second round pick, 39th overall, in RealGM's Version 9 of their mock draft.

"You've got to be able to show them that you can do that sort of stuff as well, so I kind of prepared myself for it, and I think I did great," Jawai said in a video interview on the Warriors' website.

The Warriors have the 14th and 49th picks in the upcoming draft.