The Knicks have one less obvious path to their final roster spot after Trey Jemison III agreed to a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors for the upcoming season.
That move takes Jemison off New York’s board, at least for now. He had emerged as a sensible option for the Knicks’ 15th and final spot heading into 2026-27, especially with his size, defensive profile and familiarity with coach Mike Brown’s system.
Jemison’s time in New York was brief - he appeared in 13 games - but he has shown enough as a rim-protecting big to stay in the conversation. Two years ago with the Memphis Grizzlies, he averaged 7.4 points, 5.8 boards, and 1.2 blocks. This past season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League, he put up 8.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
At 6-foot-10 and 269 pounds, he fit the mold of the kind of third big man some around the team believed could make sense. Now that he’s headed to Toronto, that possibility is gone.
Still, New York doesn’t have to force the issue. The NBA allows teams to carry one fewer than the maximum 15 players, and the Knicks could use that flexibility to wait and see how the season unfolds before making a move.
That approach would give Leon Rose and company time to assess the roster in real games and figure out where help is actually needed. It also leaves the door open for a buyout candidate to surface or for the Knicks to explore the trade market if they decide to move one of their second-unit pieces.
In other words, the longer they wait, the better the chance a more appealing option comes along.
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Knicks Are Losing Two More Pieces Of Their Championship Core
The Knicks are seeing another bit of turnover from the group that helped fuel their recent title run, with free agent center Trey Jemison now landing a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors after spending last season in New York. For a team that just reached the top of the league, these are the kinds of small but notable departures that can add up, especially when they involve a player who gave the roster front-court depth and a front-office voice tied to the clubs rise.
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Knicks Get An Early Test Against A Raptors Threat Fans Cant Ignore
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They will not have to wait long to get a read on it. New York is set to see Toronto twice in the preseason, which should offer an early look at how the two teams stack up before the games start counting. If the Raptors do end up making that kind of splash, those October meetings could feel less like tune-ups and more like a first glimpse at a rival the Knicks may be chasing all season. [Read more 🡒]