The New York Knicks are reportedly signing DaJuan Summers to a training camp deal and he joins a crop of players that will be competing for roster spots this season. The Knicks have Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Darion Atkins, Travis Trice and Wesley Saunders coming into camp and one or two of those players could be in the mix to stick around.
According to Yahoo Sports, Shams Charania reports that Summers is signing a camp deal with the Knicks. Charania writes that his agent Brian Elfus has confirmed the news and that Summers will be on the training camp roster for the Knicks. Summers comes in with previous experience in the NBA, as he has played with the Pistons, Clippers and Hornets over four years. Summers has not appeared in an NBA game since back in 2013 and this is a low risk, high upside option for the Knicks.
Summers is 27 and while all the players on non-guaranteed deals have an uphill climb to make the roster, Summers at least has some experience. The Knicks reportedly have 13 guaranteed deals on the roster, according to Pro Basketball Talk, which means two spots are available. In reality though, only one spot could be available because most think that Langston Galloway will be on the roster with his partially guaranteed deal.
Antetokounmpo us going to get a real chance to make the team after being signed to a partially guaranteed deal earlier in the summer. His agent said that Antetokounmpo is looking to make the team this year and in July ESPN reported that the Greek prospect isn't "interested in spending another season" with the D-League team. The Knicks have solid depth up front and the players coming into camp likely will end up in the D-League if they are waived.
Travis Trice recently signed and he could have a chance, as he is a guard and the team has been looking for more depth there. The Knicks have Jose Calderon, Galloway and Jerian Grant already, but if Calderon is traded they will need another option. Atkins and Saunders were signed earlier in the summer and they both are solid options to compete for spots.
Pro Basketball Talk writes that Atkins has a better chance to make the roster than Saunders because of his position, but that those players likely will end up in the D-League. Atkins is a strong defensive player and that could be his ticket in after winning the ACC defensive player of the tear and averaging 7.6 points and 6.0 rebounds at Virginia.
The Knicks have used their D-League affiliate in Westchester to stash players over the past couple years and that is what they did with Antetokounmpo. This year Antetokounmpo is signed and is getting a chance to make the team and if it doesn't happen this season, Antetokounmpo likely will move on from the Knicks. Summers reportedly can have his D-League rights assigned if he is waived by the Knicks, according to Pro Basketball Talk.
Check here for more on the Knicks, roster spots, Summers and other signings for camp.