Former first-round pick Chuma Okeke is heading to the New York Knicks, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post later confirmed it is a non-guaranteed one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.
Knicks Take A Flier On 2019 First-Round Pick
Okeke signed an Exhibit 10 deal, a league source says. https://t.co/ef47mCeACx
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) August 1, 2024
Least Playing Time Of His Career Last Season
After playing collegiately at Auburn for two seasons, Okeke was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. The six-foot-six forward was taken in the first round despite tearing his ACL in a Sweet 16 victory over North Carolina in 2019. He would miss the entire 2019-20 season for Orlando and didn’t sign his rookie contract until the 2020 offseason.
Turning 26 on August 18, Okeke is coming off his fourth NBA season, during which he received his least playing time for the Magic. In 47 games (eight starts), he played just 9.2 minutes per contest in 2023-24. He posted per-game averages of 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds. In Orlando’s first-round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he’d play in just two games for 10 minutes.
The Magic gave Okeke a lot of runs during his first two seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22. He combined to play 115 games in those two seasons, averaging 25.1 minutes. With the extended time on the court, he’d average 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. He entered the league known more for his defensive prowess, which continued with Orlando.
Unfortunately, the torn ACL suffered by Okeke before joining the NBA became a harbinger of what was to come, as he has had issues staying healthy. He’d play 70 games in 2022-23 but has averaged less than 40 in his other three years. That doesn’t even include the lost season Okeke had to start his career.
In 189 regular season games, Okeke has career averages of 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. His career shooting splits are .383/.318/.789.
Okeke May Have Difficulty Cracking the Knicks’ Roster
With their recent re-signing of Precious Achiuwa, the Knicks have 13 guaranteed contracts for next season. Jericho Sims could be the 14th, as his deal becomes fully guaranteed on August 16.
That would leave just one roster spot available, and New York could just choose to leave it open. If Okeke does not make the opening day roster, he could instead start the year in the G League for the Westchester Knicks. It’s a low-risk move for the Knicks to see if they can reach some of Okeke’s untapped potential.
