The NY Knicks have made improvements to the roster this season and the team filling up spots after signing Kevin Seraphin, Sasha Vujacic and Thanasis Antetokounmpo to deals and heading out of training camp, Langston Galloway is expected to make the team and that means players like Antetokounmpo, Darion Atkins and Wesley Saunders could battle for the final spot.
The Knicks have 13 players on guaranteed contracts and two on partially guaranteed deals with Galloway and Antetokounmpo. According to ESPN New York, the Knicks have signed Atkins and Saunders to partially guaranteed deals and they could come into training camp and compete for a chance to make the roster. The Knicks drafted Antetokounmpo last season and clearly they want to give him a real chance to make the team after cutting loose Ricky Ledo following summer league play.
The Knicks roster consists of Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon, Arron Afflalo, Robin Lopez, Kyle O'Quinn, Sasha Vujacic, Lou Amundson, Kevin Seraphin and Derrick Williams as obvious sure things along with rookies Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant. Cleanthony Early, Lance Thomas and Galloway also should make the roster and that leaves space for Antetokounmpo as potential for the final spot.
Galloway is reportedly a lock to make the roster and he comes in after averaging 11 points per game last season for the Knicks. Antetokounmpo is going to get the chance to win a spot and he comes in after playing in the summer league. Antetokounmpo is an above average defender, but he needs work on offense. Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Williams are in at power forward and the Knicks likely will have Williams as the starter.
The Knicks picked up Seraphin and just signed Vujacic and those two players are on guaranteed deals and will make the roster. Vujacic was somewhat of surprise move, as he has not been in the NBA since, 2013
but he has connections to Phil Jackson and has experience playing for a championship team. Vujacic comes in on a one-year, $1.35 million contract and the last time he played in the league for a full season, he averaged 9.8 points and shot over 40 percent from the field.
According to ESPN, Seraphin has been a productive player in the minutes that he has played, averaging over 15 points and eight rebounds for his per-36 minutes average the last two seasons. Atkins and Saunders could get chances to make the team and according to Pro Basketball Talk, if they miss out they could end up on the Knicks D-League team. Antetokounmpo is considered to be a plus defender, but his offensive game needs some work after shooting just 23 percent from 3-point range last season.
Check here for more on the Knicks offseason moves and roster options.