The New York Knicks are having a training camp where they are building up lots of competition for their final roster spots. This is the best way for them to see who is worthy of a spot without giving it away.
The final roster spot or spots are open to a handful of veterans. Before training camp started, they signed a good number of players.
“Earlier this week, the Knicks agreed to Exhibit 9 deals with five players: Ochai Agbaji, Bruce Brown, John Konchar, Drew Eubanks, and James Wiseman. The Knicks only have two roster spots open and are approaching the second apron, so there’s more at stake than just performance and fit during the preseason for this group,” SI’s Max Wildstein wrote.
Brown signing with New York on a training camp deal was a little shocking. All of this is considering he had interest from the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.
“Denver has the roster spot available and could ink him to a veteran minimum contract to make the move come to fruition. But now as September approaches, the Nuggets haven’t shown any serious interest in doing that so far. There is one team that has emerged as a suitor for Brown heading into next season, though: that’s none other than the Los Angeles Lakers,” SI’s Jared Koch wrote.
However, in a recent interview with the New York Post, Brown made it clear that everyone used the second apron as an excuse.
“Bruce Brown, among the newest crop of Knicks signings, went from logging 82 games last season with a title contender to a scant free agent market. The teams interested “weren’t many,” he told The Post, and the common excuse was “the second apron.” New York Post’s Stefan Bondy wrote.
It sure seems that no one felt like taking a risk on Brown was worth it, which is shocking considering his résumé. Brown can practically play any position in any role and has NBA Finals experience.
New York was smart enough to bring him in on a deal and to a place where he is highly valued. He has a good shot to make the roster, and the Knicks are not going to be worried about the second apron.
