The New York Knicks have signed three additional veteran players to compete for their final roster spot ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. Bruce Brown, Ochai Agbaji, and James Wiseman joined John Konchar and Drew Eubanks as contenders in a battle for the Knicks’ 14th standard NBA contract position. All five signings are nonguaranteed Exhibit 9 deals, effectively training camp tryouts.
Currently, the Knicks hold 13 standard contracts, one fewer than the league’s 14-player minimum, and 15 total roster spots are allowed. However, to reach the maximum of 15 standard contracts without exceeding the salary cap’s second apron threshold, New York would need to undertake a cap-reducing transaction. Consequently, the competition is essentially for the final guaranteed or nonguaranteed roster spot, similar to the team’s approach last season.
Last year, players including Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon, and Garrison Mathews competed for the final slot, with Shamet ultimately securing a key bench role after Brogdon’s unexpected retirement. The Knicks hope this year’s competition could yield similar value for their bench depth.
Among the new signees, three are wing players—Konchar, Brown, and Agbaji—while two are frontcourt centers, Eubanks and Wiseman. The team currently has Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond as its main big men. Drummond was acquired this offseason to fill the void left by former backup center Mitchell Robinson, who departed for the Boston Celtics in free agency.
The center depth spot formerly occupied by Ariel Hukporti, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers, remains open. Both Eubanks and Wiseman could potentially fill this role, providing rebounding and screening support.
Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, has struggled with injuries throughout his young career. He suffered a torn meniscus in his rookie season, followed by an Achilles injury in the 2023-24 season that limited him to just four games. Despite these setbacks, Wiseman has shown flashes of utility when healthy, averaging 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in his career. His physical condition remains a key question as training camp approaches.
Eubanks, a 6-foot-10 forward/center, contributed 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season with the Sacramento Kings, offering experience and versatility as a frontcourt option.
The Knicks’ roster decisions during training camp will shed light on how the team balances depth and cap considerations, with the final 14th contract likely playing an important role in their rotation this season.