The NY Knicks are working to sign rookies Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant to contracts this summer and this comes as the team is making decisions on the final roster for camp and players like Ricky Ledo, Alex Kirk and Thanasis Antetokounmpo could be in the mix for Phil Jackson, while Jose Calderon could be a trade target this year at the deadline.
The Knicks are coming into the season after making some significant moves and while they lost out on players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Monroe, Jackson was able to make some improvements. The team signed Robin Lopez to shore up the center position with strong defense, while Carmelo Anthony now has some offensive support with Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams. The team is also hoping that Grant and Porzingis can improve, while Kyle O'Quinn adds some depth to the roster as well.
According to Ian Begley at ESPN New York, the team is expected to sign Jerian Grant and Kristaps Porzingis to contracts soon and that the team still has some roster tweaks to make. Begley writes that the team may look at adding another big man up front after Cole Aldrich signed with the Clippers and that would give some depth behind Robin Lopez. The team has Porzingis, O'Quinn, Lou Amundson and Derrick Williams up front, but Begley writes that free agents Greg Stiemsma and Justin Hamilton are targets along with Alex Kirk from the Summer League.
Begley writes that Ricky Ledo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo are "under consideration" for roster spots heading into camp and that Langston Galloway is on a partially guaranteed contract. The New York Post reports that Wesley Saunders has signed a partially guaranteed contract with the Knicks and he could end up as a D-League player if he impresses moving forward. Saunders comes in after averaging 16 points per game as a senior at Harvard and three points with three rebounds in six games in the NBA Summer League.
The Knicks have Afflalo coming in with Jose Calderon the likely starter at point guard, but he could be an option to get traded this year. Jackson shopped Calderon last season and now that he is in the final year of his contract he could be more attractive to move. The Knicks are hoping that Grant can step in and contribute and if Calderon is moved, the team has Afflalo and Galloway as capable backups. Calderon said he is finally healthy coming into the season and that he is expecting to play better this year after averaging nine points and three assists in just 42 games in 2014-15.
The Knicks took Porzingis with the fourth overall pick in the draft and the team also has high expectations for Grant, who had a lot of experience at point guard at Notre Dame. Porzingis was impressive in Summer League play and while the Knicks know that he is a project player, they think he can blossom into a productive rotation option. Jackson will be hoping that both players can contribute this season
Check here for more on the possibility of Ricky Ledo, Alex Kirk or Thanasis Antetokounmpo making the cut for the Knicks roster, the potential signings of rookies Porzingis and Grant and more on the Knicks offseason moves and signings.
