The New York Knicks have two open roster spots that they must fill by next week. The Knicks’ decisions during the 2024 G-League Draft on Saturday appear to be a very big indicator of how they will eventually fill those spots.
The Knicks, via their affiliate Westchester Knicks, selected sharpshooting forward Matt Ryan with the No. 1 pick in yesterday’s G-League draft. Westchester then chose Landry Shamet with the No. 2 pick. Both players have been rumored as candidates to fill the Knicks’ open spots recently.
Ryan and Shamet were both thought to be an interest for New York due to their 3-point shooting and defensive versatility. Ryan is most comfortable playing on the wing, though he has spent some time at power forward over the last few years. Meanwhile, Shamet can play all three backcourt spots, though he has also spent some time at power forward.
New York Knicks Secure The Rights To 2 Players That They Reportedly Been Targeting To Fill Open Roster Spots And Mikal Bridges Shooting
Ryan, who appeared in 28 games for New Orleans last season, has made 1.2 treys a game at a 41.1% clip in 63 career games. After just one preseason game, the Pelicans released the 27-year-old, in which he missed all three shots, including both 3-pointers, in nine minutes of action.
Shamet reportedly had the inside track on one of the Knicks’ open roster spots before suffering a dislocated shoulder. Last month, Shamet signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Knicks. He compiled 7.1 points and 1.2 threes in 15 minutes over 40 appearances for Washington, though he struggled from deep.
Shamet, a career 38.4% 3-point shooter, totaled an inefficient 10.8 points a game and 2.2 threes in four preseason contests. He posted shooting splits of 35.7/30.0/1.00 while scoring in double-figures twice.
Despite owning Ryan and Shamet’s G-League rights, the Knicks won’t preclude other teams from purging either player. However, that is unlikely, as both players didn’t get snatched up after being waived.
Drafting does give the Knicks a chance to monitor each player’s progress. The Westchester Knicks open training camp tomorrow.
Why The Knicks Need To Add Players?
New York’s blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns really depleted its reserves. The trade also prevented the Knicks from being hard-capped at the second apron by $3.5 million.
Due to its salary cap situation, New York began the season with 12 players on standard contracts. However, the Knicks currently have just 13 healthy players, as Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa are sidelined with injuries. Achiuwa (hamstring) is slated to be out at least one more week and may not get re-evaluated for another three weeks, depending on how the injury is healing.
A source told the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy that Robinson is still expected to return from ankle surgery in December or January, but that timetable could change. Bondy said that Robinson hasn’t spoken to reporters since undergoing ankle surgery in May, but he updated his condition Thursday in a live stream video on social media.
“You seen what happened when I rushed to come back? I was back out. At this point, I gotta make sure I’m good for life, too. C’mon, now. Let’s not be selfish here. … But we’re going to be good. We’re going to be all right. We’re going to be okay. Promise you, we’re going to be straight.”
Ryan is likely to earn one of the Knicks’ two remaining spots. With Shamet still recovering from his shoulder injury—who knows how long that will take—the Knicks will likely choose to fill their remaining roster spot with one of their two-way players.
Who Could The Knicks Sign?
Of the three players currently on a two-way deal with the Knicks, 7-foot center Ariel Hukporti has been considered the favorite to earn a standard deal due to his position. However, the Knicks theoretically could lose him if they waive him down the line. If Hukporti does earn a standard agreement and is waived, he could sign a two-way deal with the Knicks once he clears waivers.
Hukporti has appeared in both of New York’s two games thus far, compiling five rebounds and three blocks in 12 minutes. Jacob Toppin, who makes a little more than Hukporti due to his one year of NBA experience, and Kevin McCullar Jr. are also options. Toppin has seen five minutes for the Knicks through the first two games while McCullar has yet to appear a game.
It is also possible that a rookie impresses the Knicks during Westchester training camp, and rather than risk losing Hukporti if they decide to waive him, they may sign that player until they can afford another veteran.
Boston clearly outmanned New York (1-1) in its season opener. The Celtics took advantage of the Knicks’ poor defensive effort and lack of frontcourt depth as the C’s rolled to a 132-109 victory. The Celtics shot 50% from the field and drained 29 triples at a 47/5% clip. They also
The Knicks bounced nicely against Indiana, coasting to a 25-point victory on Friday. All five starters scored in double figures, including four topping the 20-point mark. Mikal Bridges also appears to have fixed his shooting woes, while Towns produced his first double-double as a Knick.
Mikal Bridges
Bridges, one of the Knicks’ big offseason acquisitions, is known for his 3-and-D ability. But he missed 17 of his 3-point attempts during the preseason and struggled from deep in the first half of the game against the Celtics.
However, Bridges scored 21 points versus Indiana, making 8 of 12 shots, though only three of his attempts were from the 3-point line. The 28-year-old forward, who also doled out five assists versus the Pacers, has totaled 37 points while shooting 60% from the field and 40% from the 3-point line (4-10).
“No one is gonna shoot great for 82 games,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Oftentimes, you’re in preseason and just trying to work through things and get in a rhythm, and you’re trying to figure out a new system and new teammates. And each day, that gets better and better. But if you think logically, this guy has shot almost 38% from three for his career. Me, I’d bet on that.”
New York hosts Cleveland on Monday. The Knicks will then begin a four-game road trip that runs between October 30 and November 6.
