"Baron Davis is leaving sunny Los Angeles for the frigid cold of a last-place team in Cleveland — and he says he's thrilled to do it.

Davis is viewing his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cavaliers as a chance at a rebirth. It's why he has chosen No. 85 as a tribute to his childhood, since he grew up in his grandparents' house on 85th Street in the Los Angeles area.

''That's where I had my first basketball court and was introduced to the game,'' Davis said Sunday. ''I have to get back to my roots, get back to dribbling — even if I have to dribble in the snow. I want to just enjoy the game, the love of the game and really enjoy this opportunity of being the best basketball player I can be. I think it's going to happen here.''

Davis and the Cavs' other trade deadline acquisitions, Luke Harangody and Semih Erden, did not dress for Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Coach Byron Scott wanted the trio to get some practice time in first, although Davis may need some healing time, too.

He has been bothered all season by swelling in his surgically repaired left knee. He has endured three operations on the knee and had a cyst removed from it at the start of this season.

''It's feeling a little unstable, but some good therapy and weightlifting can get me back on balance,'' he said. ''It's been an ongoing problem this year. I decided awhile ago that I was just going to fight through the injury. . .just playing hurt all season.''

The Cavs privately are targeting Friday's game at the New York Knicks as Davis' debut, but Scott listed him as questionable for Wednesday's home game against the San Antonio Spurs. If the knee responds to treatment, he could make it back a couple of days early.

''If I can lift weights and get out on the floor and get good practice time in, the faster that happens, the quicker I'll be on the court,'' Davis said.

Ramon Sessions will continue to start at point guard for the Cavs until Davis' knee feels better and he's up to speed on the offense. That shouldn't take long, since it's essentially the same system Scott used when the two were with the New Orleans Hornets together a few years ago."