NEW YORK — The New York Knicks enter training camp with two standard roster openings after a summer marked by a flurry of low-cost additions and salary-cap maneuvering.
Since July, president Leon Rose has added guard Jordan Clarkson after a buyout with the Jazz and forward Guerschon Yabusele, tightening an already strained cap sheet. Undeterred, the front office secured guards Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon, shooter Garrison Mathews, center Alex Len and wing Matt Ryan on non-guaranteed camp deals.
Second-round pick Mohamed Diawara has signed a standard contract and is expected to claim one of the available 15 roster slots because of his rookie-scale cap figure. New York also completed two-way deals with centers Trey Jemison and Tosan Evbuomwan; a third two-way agreement with Kevin McCullar is anticipated.
Current guaranteed core
The Knicks’ projected regular-season group features Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, Pacôme Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti and Diawara. Retaining two veterans from the camp group would require moving or waiving someone—most likely McBride, Kolek, Dadiet or Hukporti.
Trade or keep?
• Miles McBride is viewed as the least likely to depart. The 24-year-old guard earned playoff minutes last spring and is on an inexpensive deal that expires after the coming season.
• Ariel Hukporti appears safe because Robinson’s injury history and the possibility of a Towns-Robinson starting tandem leave Hukporti as the lone guaranteed reserve center.
• Tyler Kolek logged more minutes than Dadiet last year but must improve his outside shooting to offset defensive concerns.
• Pacôme Dadiet, 6’8” and four years younger than Kolek, has flashed shooting potential that could attract rival clubs.
Camp competition
Veteran shooter Shamet remains a frontrunner for one of the remaining spots. The 6’4” guard thrived as an off-ball threat under former coach Tom Thibodeau and fits new coach Mike Brown’s emphasis on player movement—an approach that should also benefit Mathews and Ryan.
Brogdon is the most decorated candidate, owning Rookie of the Year (2016-17) and Sixth Man of the Year (2022-23) honors, a 50/40/90 season and a career 38.8% mark from three. His ability to run either guard position could ease the playmaking burden on Brunson. Health remains the key concern; the 32-year-old has appeared in only 166 games over the past four seasons.
If Brown leans toward a two-big lineup, familiarity with Len—whom he coached for more than two years in Sacramento—could influence the final decision. Jemison, 25, offers a younger depth option at center.
The Knicks will use training camp to evaluate shooting, durability and fit before finalizing the 15-man roster.
Source: Hoops Rumors
