The New York Knicks’ offseason had been moving at a crawl, then suddenly picked up speed with a wave of veteran signings on Exhibit 9 deals. Five names came in at once, and while that kind of move usually doesn’t amount to much, it does open the door for one of them to surprise.
That’s the kind of opening Landry Shamet once turned into something bigger. The Knicks signed him on a similar type of deal two years ago, and he ended up becoming a pivotal piece in New York’s first championship in 53 years. Most Exhibit 9 signings never come close to that kind of payoff, but the league has seen enough exceptions to keep the door cracked.
This batch of Knicks veterans comes with obvious questions attached. James Wiseman still carries the intrigue of being the No. 2 overall pick in 2020, but injuries and disappointment have defined his career.
Drew Eubanks brings dependable passing and interior defense, though his rebounding and ceiling are both limited. Ochai Agbaji has the appeal of a depth defender, but his shooting track record remains shaky, with only one season above 36% from deep in four years as a pro.
Bruce Brown has been on New York’s radar for a while, but injuries have followed him, and his work with the Nuggets last season looked worse than the numbers suggested.
If the Knicks are going to find a real keeper in this group, John Konchar looks like the best bet.
He may not have the loudest resume or the highest upside, and he probably won’t post the kind of counting stats that stand out next to Brown’s. He doesn’t solve the third-string center issue the way Eubanks could, and he doesn’t offer Wiseman’s former top-pick allure. But Konchar brings a more practical package, and that matters here.
The shooting is the one obvious concern. He hasn’t been efficient from three since 2022, and even then he was taking just 1.8 attempts per game. But he does a lot of the little things well, and those are the kinds of details that can win over a staff.
Konchar is a strong defender who can handle multiple positions, and his defensive numbers jump off the page. His per-36 STOCKS rates are excellent, and his +2.0 defensive box plus-minus puts him in strong territory.
He also rebounds well for his size, which fits with the Knicks’ recent emphasis. Add in his passing touch - including three career triple-doubles - and you get a player who can keep possessions alive and make the game easier for everyone around him.
There’s also a clear stylistic fit. Konchar is basically a poor man’s version of Hart, with some of Bruce Brown’s connective value mixed in, only bigger and built more like a wing. That combination gives him a real path to minutes if the shot even nudges forward.
He reportedly had interest from the Heat, Raptors, and Magic, which suggests there was real competition for his services and likely a promise of at least a fair shot in New York. If that holds, Konchar has a legitimate chance to come out of camp as the surprise success story from this group - the one who turns a quiet Exhibit 9 signing into something more meaningful.
In Other News...
Knicks Fans Should Be Watching Detroits Jalen Duren Drama Closely
Jalen Durens contract situation has become one of the more interesting offseason storylines in the East, and it is the kind of thing Knicks fans should keep an eye on even if it is not happening in New York. Detroit has reportedly put a five-year, $200 million offer on the table, but the discussion has not moved to the finish line yet, leaving one of the Pistons most important young players at the center of a tense waiting game.
If Duren remains unsigned, the ripple effects could reach well beyond one roster. The Pistons would be forced to navigate a major uncertainty around a key piece, and any delay could open the door to sign-and-trade possibilities or simply leave them dealing with a distraction all the way into next season. For the Knicks, a divisional rival getting stuck in that kind of limbo is the sort of subplot that can matter when the Eastern Conference standings start tightening up. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Final Roster Battle Could Come Down To Mike Browns Trust
The Knicks brought five veterans into camp on non-guaranteed deals, and with only a few roster spots available, the final trim is shaping up as one of those late-summer decisions that can turn on fit as much as production. Among the names in the mix, James Wiseman stands out because New York is at least considering him as a possible third center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, a role that would have to be earned quickly in a crowded competition.
Marc Stein reported that Wisemans case may also be tied to Mike Browns comfort level with him, which adds another layer to a decision already complicated by Wisemans long stretch away from consistent game action. The Knicks do not need him to be a featured piece, but they do need to know whether he can be trusted as a usable depth option, and that is where this battle figures to get interesting over the next stretch of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Former Knick Admits Knicks Title Run Brought Complicated Feelings
RJ Barrett is still close enough to the Knicks to feel their championship run from a distance, and close enough to admit it stirred up some complicated emotions. The Raptors forward said he had mixed feelings watching his former team win it all last season, even as he made clear he was happy for the players and people he still knows in New York.
Barretts connection to the Knicks has not faded just because he is wearing a different uniform now. He still has friends on the roster and has kept in touch with them since the title run, which makes his reaction feel less like sour grapes and more like the natural push and pull that comes with seeing an old team reach the top without you. [Read more 🡒]