Haven't seen him play in a while but Davis always struck me as being a little bit on the raw side but I can see the logic. He's big and he can bang..
Personally, I'd hold onto Shump and look for the big man upgrade somewhere else on the cheap. You guys know where I stand on this by now -- I LOVE Marcus Cousin's game. That would be my #1 big man target -- this guy's skilled & he's available as far as I can tell (played in Japan last year but I don't think he's with anyone right now). First order of business should be to give Cole Aldrich a 10 game or so sample to see if he could help. I think he could -- if this guy plays 20-25 mins last night I think he would've been more of a factor than Martin and I think we win that game going away...I think he could've helped against Detroit's big front line as well... After a 10 game run with Aldrich -- reassess the situation. Either he's a keeper or he gets the axe. We need at least one more productive big -- what's the use in having a big man like Cole if we'll never use him, even down Chandler and with all these ridiculous restrictions on STAT & Martin (esp. STAT)? Martin still plays hard I guess but let's face it -- he's a shell of what he once was, and a downright liability on the offensive end now. He just doesn't do enough out there for my taste...It's like playing with Ronny Turiaf all over again, 4 on 5 offensively. We need to come up with at least one more decent big man and he doesn't have to be a star. Just someone who won't scare and wilt playing in the NBA, someone who can rebound AND score it a little bit and someone we could get cheap obviously, being over the cap.
I'd start with Cousin after giving Aldrich a SERIOUS look first (he's already here). I'd also take a look at 6'8" PF Kevin Jones. He's slightly undersized but he's got a nice inside/outside game, he can shoot and he was always a very good rebounder...You mentioned Ed Davis -- how 'bout fellow NC alum Deon Thompson? Where's he at now? Europe still?? Never the greatest rebounder but solid enough; dude's a big body and he was a good mid-range threat for the Heels. Ike Diogu? He should still be an option. Dude can play and he was solid for us during the pre-season -- should've made the team...Jeremy Tyler if and when healthy? There's guys out there man -- start from within first with Aldrich and go from there. I'd prefer they exhaust this whole route for a big first before they entertain trading Shumpert. 7' Marcus Cousin AND 6'8" Kevin Jones would be a nice frontcourt facelift on the cheap. Why the hell not?? I'd go this route and then rinse and repeat the same plan for the backcourt as well, if Toure Murry proves he's not the answer (up to me, this guy get's a 10 game sample to show what he's got as well). Seth Curry's had 2 nice games in a row for Santa Cruz to kick off the D-League season btw. I'd keep an eye on this kid if I'm the Knicks. I think this guy's an asset on his long-range shooting alone and I think he's good enough to run the point in spurts. He could be big here.