If true, we should sign him to a 2-year deal and potentially have his salary available for trade this summer. Meanwhile maybe he could be solid depth for the remaining games + playoffs.
Two years at the MLE, second year not guaranteed.
Is that even allowed?
Can anyone answer this question?
Yes, a deal like this is allowed. However, it would be the taxpayer MLE, and the amount would be prorated.
Most importantly, non-guaranteed salary does not count for salary matching purposes in a trade. The way to handle that would be to make the deal non-guaranteed until, day, September 1. Then, if that players salary is needed in the Davis trade, you simply re-negotiate tha guaranteed date on the contract, moving it up as appropriate.