Hooped Up

Ellis, 22, a restricted free agent, is starting to draw a great deal of attention in several sign-and-trade scenarios. A person with knowledge of the situation said nine teams have made inquiries about Ellis. The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers have shown the most interest. The Knicks, who are searching for point guard help, are not one of those teams, but a second source said the Knicks have been monitoring the situation. Warriors executive vice president Chris .Mullin has maintained he .intends to sign Ellis.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Mullin are close, so Walsh won’t act unless Mullin is ready to deal. The source said the potential of an Ellis- Jamal Crawford backcourt “would be dynamic” in the Mike D’Antoni system. Both players averaged 20 points per game this past .season. A person close to Ellis said the lightning-quick guard “would be very interested in the Knicks” and especially playing for D’Antoni.

Newsday