The 5 veterans who will fight for two spots on the New York Knicks roster

The New York Knicks approach training camp with nearly the entire championship roster from last season and five new veterans ready to fight for the last two available spots. Bruce Brown, John Konchar, James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks, and Ochai Agbaji have signed Exhibit 9 contracts, agreements that will allow them to compete during the preseason for a spot on the team that will try to defend the NBA title.

The New York franchise has not settled for just keeping the core that led them to the championship. Even though they have two open spots, financial limitations mean that, unless a trade occurs, only one of these five players can end up being part of the final roster. Therefore, training camp presents itself as a true internal competition to determine who can offer more solutions to Tom Thibodeau.

Five veterans for two spots

All five players have NBA experience and have been regular members of a rotation at different points in their careers. However, each arrives in New York with a different profile and must demonstrate that they can meet one of the team's needs.

Bruce Brown is the standout name on the list. The 30-year-old guard comes from playing 82 games with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1 steal in 24.4 minutes per game. Additionally, he was an important piece of the Denver team that clinched the title in 2023. His ability to defend multiple positions, handle the ball, and bring intensity could make him an interesting candidate to reinforce the second unit.

John Konchar has also caught interest within the Eastern Conference. The player was signed after being waived and the Knicks outbid several teams also looking to acquire his services. His value lies in his defensive work, ability to fill different positions, and his willingness to perform tasks that do not always show up in the statistics.

Wiseman seeks a new opportunity

James Wiseman is facing another opportunity to revive his career. The center was selected with the number 2 pick in the 2020 Draft, but he has yet to find stability in the league. Over five seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, and Indiana Pacers, he has averaged 9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 18.8 minutes.

His physicality and athletic ability could be appealing to a roster needing depth in the interior position. However, he must convince the coaching staff that he can provide consistency, protect the rim, and maintain defensive focus within a demanding system.

On his part, Ochai Agbaji is a 6'5" forward who spent the last three seasons in Toronto. His best season came in 2024-25, when he averaged 10 points and 3.8 rebounds, hitting 39.9% of his three-point attempts. The problem is that his performance dropped significantly during the other two seasons, so he will need to regain his best form to secure a spot.

Eubanks completes the battle

Drew Eubanks, an interior veteran with eight years of NBA experience, rounds out the group. His presence can be especially relevant if the Knicks are looking for a center capable of providing physical minutes, rebounding, and energy off the bench.

The competition will not be easy. The Knicks have two open spots, but according to calculations noted by Bobby Marks, the veteran minimum salary, around $2.4 million, limits the possibility of keeping more than one of these players without making a move first.

Training camp will therefore serve to determine who fits best in the project. Brown brings experience from championship teams; Konchar, defensive effort; Wiseman, physical potential; Agbaji, outside shooting; and Eubanks, interior presence. The final decision will depend on which profile the Knicks consider most necessary in their attempt to compete for the title again.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los 5 veteranos que lucharán por dos plazas en la plantilla de New York Knicks