The New York Knicks still have two roster spots to work with, and one possible name on the board is a familiar kind of role player: John Konchar.
Konchar became available after the Minnesota Timberwolves waived him once a trade with the Utah Jazz was finalized. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that “The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded Josh Green and cash to the Utah Jazz for Cody Williams and John Konchar, the teams announced Saturday.
The Timberwolves are expected to keep Williams, the No. 10 pick in 2024, and waive-and-stretch Konchar, sources told ESPN. Saturday is the final day to waive a player and stretch out his guaranteed salary over multiple seasons,”
NBA insider Brett Siegel later added, “The Timberwolves announce that they have just waived John Konchar,"
With Konchar now free to choose his next landing spot, SI’s Isaiah De Los Santos pointed to New York as a team that could make sense. In his view, the Knicks may want a fresh voice in the mix rather than simply bringing back the same group and hoping for a different result.
“New York could be worried that simply running things back with the same group leads to stagnation or those aforementioned flaws becoming even more troublesome. The perfect way to keep guys on their toes, then, is to bring in some new blood.
Though Konchar isn't an All-Star, he is an established veteran who could apply some pressure. He carved out a sustained run in Memphis as a key reserve thanks to his high motor and connective play that brings a spark to the second unit,” Santos wrote.
Konchar would fit the profile of the kind of low-drama, useful addition teams like to stash on the back end of the roster. He’s been in the league long enough to know his lane, and he’s made $21 million in his career so far. He can also knock down perimeter shots when called upon, giving New York another piece it could use.
The Knicks have been patient with their remaining spots, but Konchar is the sort of veteran glue guy that could slide in without demanding the spotlight. If New York decides to move, he looks like a sensible target.
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