The Knicks still have all three of their two-way slots open, and that gives them room to be selective. They can chase a center if they want, but they also have the flexibility to take a swing on a guard with real upside. One more name has now entered that conversation: Tristen Newton.
Newton cleared waivers after being released by the Rockets, and he brings a résumé that makes him worth a hard look. He barely saw the floor in Houston during the regular season, appearing in one game and scoring 12 points in 12 minutes. Across two NBA seasons, he has played in nine games, with most of his work coming in the G League.
That’s where Newton really made noise. The former UConn guard was one of the league’s top performers in the 2025-26 season, putting up 25.6 points per game on 48% shooting.
Only Mac McClung, who averaged 31.8, and Jahmir Young, at 26.0, scored more. Newton also added 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists over 35 games, showing he can do plenty more than just fill it up.
He also got another Summer League run with Houston, where he averaged 14.8 points in five games. The shooting line wasn’t flashy at 37.5%, but he did have a 20-point outing against the Nets.
For New York, the fit is easy to see. Jose Alvarado and Tyler Kolek are the only true backup point guards on the roster, so Newton would give the Knicks another emergency option at the position. And if the organization wants a player with championship experience, Newton checks that box too.
Everyone on the 2026-27 roster except Andre Drummond and Tyler Nickel was part of the Knicks’ championship team this past summer, and Newton would add more of that same pedigree. He won two national titles at UConn, the same school that produced Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges at Villanova.
Newton’s role on the 2022-23 UConn title team was more limited, but he became a centerpiece the following season. In 2023-24, he was a First Team All-American, Big East Tournament MVP, part of the NCAA All-Tournament team, and the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
His final year at UConn was his best all-around season: 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. In the championship game against Purdue, he delivered 20 points and seven assists in a 75-60 win.
There’s also a practical layer here. The Knicks could move one of their guards, either Deuce McBride or Kolek, in a trade during the season.
If Newton earns a two-way spot, holds his own in camp, and keeps building on last year’s G League production, he could put himself in position for a bigger NBA opportunity. That would also make a Kolek trade easier to stomach, especially if New York wants to use him as part of a package to help solve its big man depth.
New York already has some familiarity with Newton, too. He reportedly worked out for the Knicks before the 2024 NBA Draft, before going in the second round to the Pacers.
One more wrinkle: the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s G League affiliate, acquired Newton’s “returning G League rights” on Monday. If he remains unsigned, those rights would matter, and they could also be a sign that Stockton has interest in bringing him in.
That only adds to the pressure for the Knicks to act quickly if they want him in their system.
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Knicks Face One Roster Decision That Could Shape Their Bench
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Eubanks would give the Knicks another body in the middle and a chance to compete for the third center role, while Konchar offers the kind of defense and rebounding that can make a reserve useful even when the ball is not in his hands. The decision matters because the final roster spots often come down to fit as much as talent, and New York appears to be weighing whether it wants size, versatility or a little of both before the bench is set. [Read more 🡒]