The New York Knicks are shorthanded, which could hurt them early in the season. With Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa sidelined (at least until December), the Knicks have only 13 healthy bodies and 15 players under team control.
New York Knicks Reportedly Interested In Former Pelicans Sharpshooter And Takeaways From Opening Night Loss.
With three players on two-way deals, New York must make at least two roster moves in the coming week (s). While league rules permit teams to carry fewer than 14 players on standard deals, the Knicks began the 2024-25 campaign shorthanded because they were up against the second tax apron.
The Knicks could have signed one veteran or converted the rookies on two-way. But not two veterans, as they are up against the second apron, where they are handicapped. NBA rules permit teams to carry fewer than 14 players for up to 14 consecutive and a total of 28.
New York has a little over $3.5 million to spend. With contracts now being prorated, the Knicks may be able to squeeze two veterans under the tax apron. However, that has yet to be determined.
Given the Knicks’ salary cap situation, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post believes that the Knicks will sign either 7-0 Geman center Ariel Hukporti or 6-6 forward Kevin McCullar Jr. Jacob Toppin, like the other two players, is also an option, though he is a little more costly than Hukporti and McCullar as he has one year of NBA experience.
“The Knicks are expected to convert one of their second-round rookies to a standard contract — with Ariel Hukporti as the front-runner.”
Hukporti grabbed four rebounds and blocked one shot in six minutes in the Knicks’ 132-109 loss to the Boston Celtics last night. Toppin was 0 of 1 from the field in three minutes, while McCullar didn’t suit up.
New York is known to be eyeing a sharpshooting forward. According to Shams Charania on NBA Today yesterday, Matt Ryan is one of the potential targets for the Knicks.
Matt Ryan
Ryan has 63 NBA games of experience. The 6-6 versatile forward, who can play all five positions, had his best season in the NBA last season, playing in 28 games for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Ryan owns career averages of 4.4 points and 1.2 threes with shooting splits of .398/.411/.885. He has scored in double-figures 11 times, topping the 20-point mark once.
If the Knicks ultimately chose to sign Ryan, he would immediately be part of the Knicks rotation. Ryan would also likely be their second offensive option off the bench behind Miles McBride. As a result, not only would the 27-year-old, who grew up in White Plains (NY), see regular minutes for the first time in his career, he may be given more freedom.
Last night, the Knicks’ second unit outscored the Celtics reserves 43-19. But the Knicks’ top-3 reserves—McBride, Cameron Payne, and Jericho Sims—were a combined -22 in plus/minus rating in 71 minutes.
2024 NBA No. 19 overall selection Pacome Diadet projects to be the final player of the Knicks’ second unit after impressing the coaching staff during the preseason. However, coach Tom Thibodeau generally does not go that deep on his bench unless there are injuries.
Diadet made his NBA debut against the Celtics. The 19-year-old was 1 of 3, including 1 of 2 from deep, and grabbed one board in 13 minutes.
Other Options
New York didn’t show up on the defensive end against Boston. The Knicks permitted the Celtics to shoot 50.5% from the field and make 29 3-pointers at a 47.5% clip. The loss was the Knicks fifth to the Celtics in the last six contests.
New York is 0-1 for the third straight season. It is also the second straight season that the Knicks have started the campaign with a loss to the Celtics. The Knicks and Celtics have opened the season against each other for the third time this decade.
New York will next host Friday against Indiana (1-0), who survived the Detroit Pistons (115-109) in their season opener. Including the Pacers, the Knicks will play five more games before having to make a roster move. So, it is conceivable unless another injury occurs, the Knicks will not make a move until they are obliged to do so.
Besides the Knicks two-way players and Ryan, Bondy mentioned a few other options for the Knicks. Bondy said the Knicks may re-sign Landry Shamet, whom they released before the season. Shamet was expected to win a roster spot out of training camp, but he dislocated his shoulder late in the preseason.
“Shamet, who was tracking toward rotation minutes before his injury, is attempting to return this season without surgery, but a source said that re-signing with the Knicks is hardly a given.”
Lonnie Walker IV, Marcus Morris Sr., and Justin Holiday were the other players mentioned. All three players make sense for the Knicks due to their specific skill sets, but each may be too expensive. Walker and Holiday saw action this preseason, while Morris did not.
