The Knicks’ decision to let Dillon Jones move on says plenty about where their head is right now. New York watched the two-way forward agree to an Exhibit-10 deal with the rival 76ers, and while that’s not a massive on-court blow, it does clear up one thing fast: the Knicks are guarding their roster flexibility like gold.
Jones barely touched the floor last season, appearing in seven games with minimal production. On paper, there wasn’t much there to lose. But he still carved out value inside the organization, earning trust from Mike Brown during the team’s Finals run and becoming someone the coaching staff clearly liked having around.
That’s what makes this notable. The Knicks could have kept him for several reasons.
He was in Brown’s good graces, he’s still a young player with some intrigue, and as a recent first-round pick he’s already done more in the NBA than Pacôme Dadiet. He also fit the low-cost model New York likes, since he remained eligible for a two-way contract.
Still, this isn’t the same Knicks situation Jones stepped into in late January. The team has now won the title and carries real expectations to do it again, with the rest of the league coming after them.
That changes the math. Leon Rose has only so many roster levers to pull, and the Knicks are treating every one of them like it matters.
Keeping Jones would have been easy to justify. It would have meant locking in a familiar player and checking off one of the two-way slots. But it also would have narrowed New York’s options at a time when the club wants as much flexibility as possible heading into training camp.
That matters even more because all three Knicks two-way slots are still open, and 13 of 90 two-way spots around the NBA are currently open. Most teams have already filled most or all of theirs, which puts New York in a strong position if the right player becomes available.
The Knicks can move quickly if they like someone. If they had already committed to Jones, that door would be a lot less open.
And the need is real. New York still has a pressing issue at center, and Jones, at 6-foot-5, wasn’t going to help solve that. The more logical path may come from preseason roster cuts, where a different kind of option could emerge.
There are already a few young bigs out there who fit the bill, including Hunter Dickinson and Julian Reese, along with Summer League standout Liam Robbins. The Knicks have not signed any of them yet, which tells you they’re willing to wait for a better fit rather than move just to fill a spot.
So yes, there’s a case for being a little disappointed to see Jones go. He had value, and he might have been able to take another step in a first full season with the team. He also could have pushed the young wings already in the mix.
But New York made the tradeoff anyway. In a market where every opening matters, the Knicks chose upside and flexibility over familiarity.
In Other News...
Knicks Still Have One Possible Center Option Worth Watching
Nick Richards next stop is already drawing attention in New York. The veteran center signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Miami Heat, a move that gives Miami plenty of flexibility before the season begins and keeps Richards in a bit of limbo as training camp approaches. For the Knicks, it is the kind of situation worth monitoring, especially with the need for extra size behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
Richards has a track record that still makes him interesting if he reaches the open market again. Injuries cost him significant time last season, but before that he had already shown he could handle meaningful minutes and help on the glass during his run with the Charlotte Hornets. If Miami decides to move on, New York could be one of the teams watching closely for a chance to add another backup center option. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks May Need Veteran Insurance Before Their Next Roster Move
The Knicks are still navigating a roster puzzle that could stretch beyond one clean move. With limited cap space and only a few spots to work with, New York has been weighing veteran insurance as it looks ahead to a potential trade for a young center, and Bruce Brown has emerged as a logical fit on the margins of that plan.
Browns appeal is obvious for a team trying to stay flexible. He is an unrestricted free agent, has made clear he likes New York, and brings the sort of dependable experience that can help cover the edges while the front office keeps hunting for bigger upgrades. The tricky part is finding the right sequence of moves, since any path to adding a center could force the Knicks to make uncomfortable choices elsewhere on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Still Have One Obvious Roster Hole Before Camp
With training camp approaching, the Knicks are still looking at the center spot as one of the few areas that could use another body. Ariel Hukportis departure left a gap in the frontcourt mix, and while Andre Drummond is now on the roster, the front office is continuing to weigh whether it needs more insurance behind the bigs before camp opens.
One name in the conversation is Taj Gibson, who was recently waived by the New Orleans Pelicans and is now available. New York is also keeping tabs on other center options, including Drew Eubanks and Julian Reese, as it sorts through veterans and younger players who could fit the roster without forcing an early commitment. No move has been made yet, but the Knicks appear to have at least one spot they still want to settle. [Read more 🡒]