The New York Knicks are no longer the team for Ariel Hukporti, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
“Free agent center Ariel Hukporti has agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. Hukporti departs the Knicks after playing a reserve role on their title team, and gives the 76ers frontcourt depth and a high-motor, athletic big man,” Charania tweeted.
Hukporti signed with the rival 76ers after spending his first two years in the league with the Knicks.
Hukporti was the No. 58 overall pick, which was the final selection of the 2024 NBA Draft. In his rookie year, he only played in 25 games for the Knicks, but his output increased this past season, where he appeared in 54 contests for New York.
Hukporti was a strong backup center option for the Knicks, but they did not extend a qualifying offer to him ahead of free agency, signaling the likely end of his tenure with the franchise. Now, he’s heading down I-95 south to Philadelphia, where he’ll fulfill a similar role with the 76ers next season.
The Knicks are hard-pressed with their salary cap, tiptoeing around every dollar to ensure they don’t go into the second apron. While they may have wanted to keep Hukporti, it isn’t worth it being so close to the second apron.
The Knicks will now pivot as they look to find another backup center on the open market.
Posting & Toasting community, how do you feel about letting Hukporti walk? Let us know in the comments section below.
