James Wiseman is making an early push for the Knicks’ final standard roster spot, but the job is far from locked up.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported that Wiseman has stood out in camp and is currently the early favorite. That said, the key word is early. New York hasn’t even played its first preseason game yet, so there’s still plenty of time for the competition to change.
Wiseman’s resume still draws attention. He was the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, but that draft slot alone won’t carry him to a roster spot six years later.
What matters now is whether he can still offer something useful as a backup center. The Knicks signed him to an Exhibit 9 deal in September, which set this up as a camp opportunity rather than a guaranteed regular-season place.
He’s not the only big man in the mix. Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks are also in the frontcourt battle, and multiple wings are fighting to avoid the cut as well.
Wiseman brings size and finishing ability, but the questions around him haven’t gone away: can he defend without fouling, handle a limited role, and stay healthy enough to be counted on? For a team with championship expectations, those answers matter more than a strong stretch in camp.
There’s still a case for giving him a real look. A 25-year-old center who could provide minutes behind the Knicks’ established veterans is worth evaluating. What the Knicks can’t do is confuse camp momentum with proof he’s ready for playoff duty.
New York opens the preseason Monday against Philadelphia, and that will be the first chance to see Wiseman in a Knicks uniform against another team. The Knicks have already given younger players meaningful preseason auditions. Wiseman deserves the same honest test.
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