The New York Knicks and their fans have to be giddy about their offseason, and for good reason. While the Knicks’ offseason transactions have been well-documented, their moves have raised questions about their depth.
New York Knicks Training Camp Battles: Who Has The Inside Track For Open Roster Spot(s)?
New York’s most recent trade for Karl-Anthony Towns left the Knicks with just 12 players on standard contracts, two short of the NBA minimum. Following the trade, the Knicks were left with just Landry Shamet and their three players on two-way deals. However, president Leon Rose has since added a few players to training camp deals: TJ Warren, Damion Baugh, Alex O’Connell, and re-signed Chuma Okeke, who was previously on an Exhibit 10 contract but
However, New York is just $3.5 million from being hard-capped at the second tax apron. Therefore, the Knicks can only sign one veteran to a minimum contract. The last roster spot will likely be filled by Ariel Hukporti or Kevin McCullar Jr., who are on two-way contracts. Which would leave the Knicks with an open two-way spot.
A Leader For the 13th Spot?
According to Stefon Bondy of The New York Post, Shamet is the leader for one of the Knicks’ open spots.
“I don’t make the final decision on that, but I’m basing it on what (Shamet’s) done on the floor. He’s done well,” Thibodeau said. “The second unit, as I said, I’m anxious to see him as well because I’ve seen what they’ve done in practice, and they’ve really done well together as a unit. So, I want to see that in a game situation. But he’s done an excellent job. He has really good chemistry with (Cameron Payne), and then when you put Deuce (Miles McBride) into that, they’re very fast. You can play with a lot of speed.”
While Rose ultimately decides who ends up on the roster, it is not surprising that Shamet is the leader. The Knicks need backcourt depth, and they lost most of their top 3-point shooters with their trades over the last year. However, Mikal Bridges is reliable from deep, and Towns likes to space the floor. Rookie Tyler Kolek is not a great shooter but can knock down open looks.
Shamet, who will have plenty of opportunity to show his meddle during the preseason, has spent most of his NBA journeyman career who does a little bit of everything. But the 27-year-old is mainly a 3-point shooter as nearly 70% of his attempts are from deep. He averaged almost two treys a game while shooting them at a 38% clip for his career.
Who Will Fill The Knicks’ 14th Spot?
Based on Thibodeau’s statement, Shamet will likely be part of the Knicks’ second unit. Shamet was fantastic in his first preseason game with the Knicks, who defeated Charlotte 111-109 on Sunday afternoon. The 6-4 guard tallied 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting, including 4 of 8 from deep, four rebounds, two steals and an assist in 27 minutes.
McBride, Payne, and Shamet are expected to be joined on the second unit by Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa. The Knicks’ primary reserve big man, Mitchell Robinson, is sidelined until December or January.
Kolek and 19-year-old Frenchman Pacome Dadiet are the other two players currently on a standard. Dadiet will likely spend most of the season with the G-League Westchester Knicks. Kolek also had a nice first preseason game today, scoring 11 points on 3 of 5 shooting (all 3-pointers), two steals, and one assist in 14 minutes.
Here is the thing: While NBA teams are required to carry a minimum of 14 players on standard contracts, there is a reprieve. The new CBA has allowed teams to go below 14 players for no more than 30 days, including 14 consecutive days.
As mentioned above, the Knicks are only $3.5 million from being hard-capped, so they can only afford one veteran. Shamet’s minimum deal is worth $2.6 million, meaning the Knicks would have a little more than $900,000 left to spend.
Due to Warren’s number of years of experience, his veteran minimum deal is valued at $3.3 million. Therefore, he will likely head to Westchester and wait to see if another team calls or until teams can sign players to 10-day deals.
A Look At Players In Position To Earn Knicks 14th Roster Spot Or A Two-Way Deal
With so little money available, New York will likely enter the regular season with 13 players. After the two weeks, expect them to promote either Hukporti or McCullar. Those two players have first-year salaries of $1.19 million, which would be prorated to the number of days less.
Hukporti, the 7-foot German center, is the logical choice to earn a standard deal as he would provide the Knicks with some needed size. If the Knicks promote Hukporti or McCullar, they could sign O’Connell or Baugh to a two-way contract.
After going undrafted out of Duke in 2022, O’Connell spent the season with the G-League Stockton Kings. The 25-year-old played in Italy’s top league last season. Meanwhile, Baugh spent last season with the G-League’s South Bay Lakers.
