Former NBA star Baron Davis reportedly heading to D-League

FORMER All-Star Baron Davis is reportedly heading to the D-League in a bid to return to the NBA.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Baron Davis #85 of the New York Knicks reacts after he was fouled as he made a 2-point basket in the second quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

THE NBA is closing in on the magic number of 30 D-League teams to go with its 30 premier franchises, which means more roster spots for all kinds of players on the fringes of the league. So if former star Baron Davis wants to hoop it up in the D-League, why shouldn’t he?

According to multiple reports, basketball fans are in for just such a treat:

Baron Davis has signed with the NBA D-League, per a league source #NBADL

— Chris Reichert (@Chris_Reichert) January 12, 2016

Ex-NBA guard Baron Davis’ agent Todd Ramasar tells Yahoo that his client plans on making his D-League debut after 1/20.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 12, 2016

Ex-NBA guard Baron Davis also tried out for the Mavericks in Los Angeles last Saturday. The Mavs’ D-League affiliate is the Texas Legends.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 12, 2016

A workout with the Dallas Mavericks sounds pretty awesome. Does that mean that the 36-year-old Davis is eyeing a comeback at the NBA level under Rick Carlisle, a coach who’s proven he can work wonders with veterans? Maybe, although Carlisle indicated he had no idea about the workout:

Rick Carlisle is asked about the report that Baron Davis worked out for the Mavs this weekend. [Laughs] "really?"

— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) January 13, 2016

According to Yahoo Sports, Davis had been contemplating the move for the past two years, a potential precursor to a return to the NBA:

“He is looking forward to playing in the D-League and showing teams what he is capable of,” Ramasar told Yahoo Sports. “He feels that the timing is right. More than anything Baron has put in the training and is confident in his body. He feels he is ready to return to the NBA.”

That’s probably ambitious. In Davis’ most recent NBA season, he played 29 games, including 14 starts, for the New York Knicks. He averaged 6.1 points and 4.7 assists in 20.5 minutes per game, but he also averaged 2.6 turnovers. Minus the turnovers, the offensive production is passable for a backup point guard. Of course, then you realize that Davis couldn’t stay in front of Dick Bavetta on defense, much less any of the other point guards in the league.

As for Davis’ upcoming stint in the D-League, there might be some clutching at pearls over his taking a roster spot from a young player trying to make it as a pro. And yes, that would be awful. On the other hand, there are a number of professional basketball jobs around the world that pay better than the D-League; our hypothetical young strawman might be better served seeking those gigs.

Baron Davis of the New York Knicks controls the ball in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Miami Heat during the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

Davis brings a bit of visibility to the NBA’s lower level, which certainly can’t hurt in the D-League’s quest to expand to 30 teams. That number currently stands at 19, with concrete plans in place for three more teams in the future — and that doesn’t include the Orlando Magic’s interest in bringing a team to Florida. If adding a name from the NBA’s recent past sells a few more tickets, maybe the owners of the league’s D-League holdouts will realize what they’re missing and put an end to the current untenable nature of the system.

Regardless of whether his comeback is successful, Davis being back on an NBA-type court is nothing but a good thing. In case you need a reminder why, here’s all you need to know:

This story originally appeared on FOX Sports US

Originally published as Former NBA star Baron Davis reportedly heading to D-League