The Knicks have turned their final roster decisions into a full-on training camp battle, and one of the biggest names in the mix may already have a slight edge.
With New York dealing with only two open roster spots and the added pressure of approaching the second apron, every camp contract matters. The team has loaded up on competition, agreeing earlier this week to Exhibit 9 deals with five players: Ochai Agbaji, Bruce Brown, John Konchar, Drew Eubanks, and James Wiseman.
That setup makes the end of the roster far more complicated than a simple preseason tryout. It is not just about who looks best on the floor. It is about fit, value, and what the front office can realistically do under the cap.
Konchar’s decision to join the Knicks on a training camp deal was a little surprising given the market around him. Marc Stein reported that “John Konchar is one of the top free agents available and has drawn interest, league sources say, from Miami, New York, Orlando and Toronto.”
Even with that level of interest, SI’s Max Wildstein believes New York may still lean toward Brown over Konchar.
“Konchar might be the best player the Knicks are bringing in on a training camp contract, but I’d give Brown the edge over him solely because of how the front office has viewed him over the last couple seasons. Konchar's defensive tape in Memphis and Utah was tantalizing, though, so he does have a real shot at making the roster,” Wildstein wrote.
Brown brings a different kind of appeal. He gives the Knicks lineup flexibility, helps create rest opportunities for other players, and comes with championship experience. That combination could be enough to separate him from the rest of the camp group when New York sorts out its final decisions.
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