The Knicks are signing veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, which will see the veteran receive strong consideration for a roster spot.
Landry Shamet, who agreed to terms to re-sign with the Knicks on Thursday, will also get strong consideration for a roster spot.
If the Knicks want to keep both Brogdon and Shamet, they will have to trade one of their own players to create the roster spot.
Trading either Pacôme Dadiet or Miles McBride would clear enough cap space to sign both Shamet and Brogdon. (There are other combinations of players the Knicks could trade to create the space to add both veterans, but those two are being mentioned because it would be the most direct path for the Knicks to take if they wanted to keep both vets. Update at 4:37 p.m. on Saturday: The Knicks can also trade Tyler Kolek and have enough space under the second apron to sign both Brogdon and Shamet. But trading Kolek and signing both vets would leave New York just $44,000 under the second apron. Unless they made another trade, in this scenario, they wouldn’t be able to sign another veteran on a pro-rated contract during the season. New York used this approach last season when signing veteran PJ Tucker in March. Cap expert Yossi Gozlan expertly explained these trade scenarios in his Third Apron Substack.)
I’d be surprised if the Knicks made a move like that ahead of training camp. I’d assume that they let things play out in training camp/preseason before making decisions on final roster spots. It’s also worth pointing out that they have always held McBride in high regard and haven’t been receptive to any past trades involving the now 25-year-old.
As things currently stand, the Knicks have enough room under the second apron to keep a veteran free agent like Shamet, Brogdon, or Garrison Matthews and to sign a rookie to a minimum deal. The rookie needs to have been drafted by the Knicks. So the plan heading into camp is for New York to sign Mohamed Diawara to that rookie deal.
The Knicks have also had other veteran free agents in for workouts lately. Thomas Bryant, who played well against New York in the Eastern Conference Finals with Indiana, has been in New York for open gym workouts and really impressed the Knicks, per SNY league sources.
Bryant is the best big man free agent left on the board. The Knicks don’t have a rotation role for him at the moment. But they are certainly fans of the 28-year-old.
I’d expect New York to host some other veterans for workouts ahead of camp. As noted on Thursday, big man Trey Jemison III is also squarely on the Knicks’ radar ahead of training camp.
With Brogdon aboard, there will certainly be a competition in preseason for the open roster spot. If two of the veteran players separate themselves from the pack, the Knicks will have to trade one of their rostered players to bring those vets in. Certainly something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.
As for Brogdon, the Knicks were looking for depth at point guard, and they did well to land the veteran at this point in the offseason. When healthy, Brogdon had a solid season last year for the Wizards. He averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists per game. But he was limited to 24 contests (13 starts) due to injury.
During his nine-year career, which has also included stints with the Bucks, Pacers, Celtics, and Trail Blazers, Brogdon has averaged 15.3 points and 3.6 assists. His agreement with the Knicks was first reported by ESPN.
This offseason, in addition to Brogdon and Shamet, New York added guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Guerschon Yabusele.
Jake Fischer earlier reported the Knicks’ interest in Bryant. I’m sure the Knicks would love to have Bryant in camp, but they have depth at center – Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Ariel Hukporti – so there is no room in the rotation for Bryant.
The Knicks, it should be noted, will also be able to add a veteran free agent later in the season because they will be able to fit the pro-rated contract under the second apron.
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