The NY Knicks are signing Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a two year contract that is partially guaranteed and that could give the young star a chance to be on the roster this season and it comes after the Knicks brought in Kevin Seraphin to shore up the front court, while players like Norris Cole, Toney Douglas or Mario Chalmers could be targets to add point guard depth for Phil Jackson.
The Knicks have been an active team this offseason and they have signed new players to the roster including Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams and Seraphin. The Knicks just brought in Sasha Vujacic to help with bench scoring and now the team has Antetokounmpo on a deal. According to Ian Begley at ESPN New York, Antetokounmpo and the Knicks are working towards finalizing a two year deal. ESPN New York reports that the deal is partially guaranteed and David Pick first reported the news about the deal.
Antetokounmpo was expected to get a contract this summer, as he played in the D-League last season and his agent went public saying his client did not want to do that again. Antetokounmpo is just 23 and his brother is the Greek freak Giannis with the Bucks. Antetokounmpo has the chance to be an athletic and energetic option for the Knicks and while he may not be a full rotation player, he should get some solid minutes this season.
Pro Basketball Talk writes that the addition of Antetokounmpo means that the Knicks will have 15 players on the main roster. The team has Langston Galloway on a partially guaranteed deal and he is expected to make the roster, while Wesley Saunders and Darion Atkins could be options for the D-League if they look good in training camp. The Knicks think that Antetokounmpo can develop into a productive player and if he flashes some of the athleticism and dunking that his brother can do, New York could have itself a star in the making.
Antetokounmpo previously was the number 51 pick in the second round of the NBA draft for the Knicks in 2014. Antetokounmpo basically is competing for that final roster spot and while the Knicks want him to stay with the organization, he will have to perform this summer in camp. The Knicks just brought in Kevin Seraphin on a one year contract and he will serve as a backup center for Robin Lopez. Seraphin is signed on the $2.8 million exception that the Knicks had and is comes after he averaged six points and three rebounds per game last season.
The Knicks are reportedly interest in free agent Norris Cole, as Sam Amico at Fox Sports reports that the team could look at the point guard as an option on the market. The Philadelphia 76ers have also had interest along with the Pelicans and since Cole is a restricted free agent, New Orleans can match offers. The Knicks have wanted to add some point guard depth for Jerian Grant, Jose Calderon and Arron Afflalo, but after signing Sasha Vujacic, Antetokounmpo and Seraphin, the Knicks may not have room.
Check here for more on the NY Knicks offseason moves or for more on the Thanasis Antetokounmpo contract.
