The NY Knicks have signed Sasha Vujacic to a free agent contract this summer to reunite Phil Jackson with one of his former players and this comes as New York may bring in Thanasis Antetokounmpo on a contract, while Wesley Saunders and Darion Atkins could compete in training camp to make the roster if the team doesn't add another free agent big man like Kevin Seraphin or JaVale McGee.
The Knicks opened up a roster spot with the release of Ricky Ledo and now the team is adding another offensive option in Vujacic. According to Shams Charania of RealGM, the Knicks have "reached an agreement" with Vujacic and sources report that the contract is a one-year deal. Vujacic has not played in the NBA since back in 2013 when he had a 10-day contract with the Clippers and before that he was with the Nets in 2010.
Vujacic is still just 31 and he can be a solid option off the bench if he still can shoot like he did in the past when he consistently finished over 40 percent from the floor. Vujacic had his best season in 2007 with the Lakers and Jackson, averaging 8.8 points per game and shooting 45 percent overall from the field. Vujacic has averaged five points per game as his career average and while that is not much, Vujacic has experience playing for a consistent playoff team and a championship team with Jackson and the Lakers.
According to Ian Begley at ESPN New York, the Knicks signed Vujacic to a guaranteed deal and now they have 12 players signed with guaranteed contracts on the roster. The team brought in Wesley Saunders and Darion Atkins on partially guaranteed deals and Langston Galloway is also on a partially deal. Galloway is making the roster and now Vujacic could end up on the team this season. Begley writes that the Knicks are likely signing Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a deal after he played in the D-League following the draft last year.
Vujacic is on the veteran's minimum at $1.35 million for the contract and it comes after he has been playing overseas the past few years. Derek Fisher has experience with Vujacic along with Jackson in Los Angeles and he could be the main perimeter scoring option off the bench for the Knicks. Vujacic can hit three pointers, as he has a 37 percent shooting rate for his career and another helpful bit about the guard: he has played in the Triangle offense for many years and can help Carmelo Anthony and other players get the hang of things.
Begley writes that with Galloway counting on the roster and Vujacic signed, the team has two open roster spots. The team is expected to add Antetokounmpo on a deal, as his agent said he did not want to spend another season in the D-League. The team has Atkins and Saunders coming in and could be invited to camp, with Begley reporting that Saunders likely will be brought in. The Knicks also could add another free agent, according to Begley. New York still has a $2.8 million exception to use on a free agent and Begley reports that a big man/center is the likely target, with Brendan Haywood, JaVale McGee and Greg Stiemsma available on the market.
Check here for more on the Knicks offseason moves, free agent deals and training camp roster.
