Dillon Jones Joins Knicks on Two-Way Deal, Brings High-Energy Game to Westchester Debut
The Knicks made a quiet but intriguing move this week, signing 24-year-old wing Dillon Jones to a two-way contract. The deal came shortly after the team wrapped up practice on Tuesday, filling the spot vacated when Tosan Evbuomwan was waived ahead of his contract guarantee date.
Jones, originally drafted in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, technically had his name called by the Knicks on draft night - but it was Oklahoma City that made the move, sending five second-round picks to New York in exchange for the selection. Now, after a brief stint with the Thunder, Jones is back in the Knicks' orbit, this time looking to prove himself through the G-League pipeline.
And in his first game with the Westchester Knicks, Jones wasted no time making an impression.
A Box Score That Tells the Story of a High-Motor Wing
Jones’ stat line in Westchester’s 114-104 win over the Windy City Bulls was the kind of all-over-the-place production that catches your eye: 7 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. That’s the kind of effort that doesn’t always look pretty, but it screams impact - and it’s the kind of hustle-heavy performance that Knicks fans have come to appreciate.
He didn’t shoot the ball well - just 2-for-8 from the field and 1-for-7 from three - and his five turnovers led the team. But even with the erratic shooting and some loose possessions, the Knicks outscored the Bulls by two points during his minutes on the floor. For context, Kevin McCullar Jr., who had a cleaner line with 8 assists and only 2 turnovers, saw his minutes go minus-one.
Now, single-game plus-minus in the G-League isn’t gospel. But what it does suggest is that Jones’ energy had a tangible effect.
He was everywhere - crashing the glass, pushing the pace, digging in defensively. It was chaotic at times, but it was the kind of chaos that can tilt a game.
If that sounds familiar, it should. The Knicks have built a lot of their identity this season around players who bring that same brand of relentless effort - guys like Josh Hart, Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, and Mitchell Robinson.
Players who don’t need the ball to make an impact. Players who aren’t worried about their stat lines, just the scoreboard.
A New Start After a Quiet Rookie Year
Jones played 54 games with the Thunder in his rookie campaign, averaging 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in just over 10 minutes per game. The efficiency numbers weren’t strong - 38.3% from the field, 25.4% from three, and 60.7% from the line - and it became clear he wasn’t quite ready to carve out a consistent role on a playoff-bound roster.
But context matters. OKC spent real draft capital to get Jones, and when it became clear he wasn’t going to crack their rotation, they pivoted. That doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there - it just means the fit wasn’t.
For the Knicks, this is a low-risk, potentially high-reward play. Two-way contracts give teams the flexibility to take swings on players like Jones - guys with size, skill, and upside who might just need the right system and a little more seasoning.
And Westchester gives him that chance. A place to play real minutes, work through mistakes, and show he can contribute to winning basketball. If he keeps rebounding like this, making plays for others, and bringing that same defensive energy, he’ll give the Knicks something to think about.
The Bottom Line
Dillon Jones isn’t walking into Madison Square Garden tomorrow and turning the tide of the Knicks’ season. But he doesn’t have to.
What he showed in his G-League debut is that he’s willing to do the dirty work - to rebound, defend, move the ball, and play hard. That’s the kind of foundation the Knicks value.
And if he can clean up the shooting and cut down on the turnovers, there may be more than just G-League minutes in his future. For now, he’s exactly where he needs to be - grinding, growing, and giving the Knicks something to watch closely.