After much discussion over the past few months about how to shape the back end of their roster, the Knicks responded with a flurry of signings over the past 24 hours.
All of a sudden, we have a bit of a roster crunch on our hands.
The Knicks have room to sign just one player to a veteran minimum heading into the season. Instead of making their choice now, they invited three players to training camp on non-guaranteed deals.
First, the Knicks brought fan-favorite Landry Shamet back to Tarrytown.
After
spending much of the regular season on the bench, Shamet endeared himself to New Yorkers everywhere, putting forth multiple inspiring playoff performances, capitalized by consistent shooting and strong defense.
He contributed to winning postseason basketball, and did so as a Knick. There’s an argument to be made that he has the upper hand here simply because of his familiarity with the organization.
Unfortunately for him, former Rookie of the Year & Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with New York as well. Oh yeah… he’s also a member of the 50/40/90 club.
Brogdon is 32 years old and brings just about everything you could want in a backup point guard to the table for the Knicks. He’s a great defender, strong facilitator, and an absolute marksman from deep. He’s well-seasoned too, having appeared in 43 career playoff games, and could provide a steady veteran presence to the Knicks’ second unit.
Just two years ago, he was dicing teams up in the playoffs on the Celtics.
His biggest mark against him? Health. Brogdon played a combined 63 games over the last two years, battling through various injuries. He’s the best player on this list when he’s available, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Finally, Garrison Mathews got a training camp invite, and he’s a bit of a wild card on this list who could make things messy if he overperforms.
Mathews has been in the league for six years. He’s got a quick trigger and might be the best shooter in any room he walks into. The Lipscomb alum shot 41.3% across his last three seasons for Atlanta, and he’s got great energy on the offensive side of the floor.
He doesn’t do much else at a high level besides shoot – but hoo boy, can he ever shoot.
If he catches fire in training camp or the preseason, he could make the Knicks’ decision a bit harder than it needs to be. He’s the odd man out heading into this battle, but don’t count him out altogether.
All of these deals have people questioning another player’s roster security heading into training camp: Tyler Kolek.
Kolek didn’t get much of a shot last year under Coach Thibs and didn’t quite live up to Summer League expectations. Is the stage being set for a trade heading into the season?
It’s a great problem to have for the Knicks, as all guys can contribute to winning ball, but it’s a problem nevertheless. At least one guy on this list will help the Knicks win games this year. The jury’s still out on whether there’s potential for another.
