Knicks: Summer League Players With Main Roster Potential

As the New York Knicks peruse the free agency market, some low-cost main roster options could be found at Summer League. Who are they?

The New York Knicks are actively pursuing high-quality free agents who can help the team return to the NBA Playoffs. New York hasn’t reached the postseason since 2013, which has resulted in the current sense of urgency.

Though they may not be ready for featured roles, the Knicks could potentially find a quality main roster contributor at Summer League.

The Knicks have crafted a Summer League roster with recognizable names and intriguing sleepers. Some players have already been signed by the organization, while others are hoping to secure a job in the NBA.

The Knicks’ public relations team offered a full list of players on the 2016 Summer League roster.

There’s some interesting talent to work with.

In most instances, the players are long-term projects who are better suited for a year in the NBA D-League. In others, the players are dangerously close to being able to fill a main roster spot, but aren’t quite there yet.

In five select cases, however, players on the Knicks’ Summer League roster have the potential to earn a main roster spot as soon as 2016-17. The question is, who are they and why should you know their names?

Let’s find out.

Next: Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mentions

Souleyman Diabate

• A virtual unknown on the American scene, Souleyman Diabate is one of the best point guards in France. The Ivory Coast native currently plays for Rouen of France’s vaunted LNB Pro A. In 2015-16, Diabate led all Pro A players with an average of 6.5 assists per game. He could provide that same facilitating touch to the New York Knicks.

Ognjen Kuzmic

• Ognjen Kuzmic was a member of the 2015 NBA champion Golden State Warriors. He’s now hoping to make the Knicks’ main roster. Kuzmic has great size at 7’0″, and has expanded his game out to midrange. The Knicks don’t  necessarily need another center, but he could star for Westchester.

Akil Mitchell

• Akil Mitchell is a versatile defensive player who can crash the boards and pick up players at multiple positions. Made the 2014 ACC All-Defensive Team. Could be a nice addition.

DaJuan Summers

• DeJuan Summers is a veteran small forward who was dominating for the Westchester Knicks in 2015-16 before suffering a season-ending injury. Will look to complete his comeback at Summer League.

Chasson Randle

• Chasson Randle is a crafty scoring guard in a point guard’s body. He’s an excellent 3-point shooter who can space the floor in Jeff Hornacek‘s offense. Could be a breakout star for the Westchester Knicks.

J.P. Tokoto

• J.P. Tokoto is an explosive athlete with immense defensive potential and an uncanny ability to facilitate. He can’t shoot, but his ability to play above the rim and defend multiple positions make him a tantalizing option. New York needs defense, and Tokoto can provide it.

Next: Hinrich Meets Hornacek?

Ron Baker

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 23 (3/30/1993)
2015-16 Slash Line (College): .424/.350/.793
2015-16 Season Averages (College): 31.6 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.8 3PM

The New York Knicks are in dire need of depth at shooting guard. There will be a somewhat high-profile signing at the position, but the Knicks are searching for depth in the form of 3-and-D contributors.

New York is confident enough in Ron Baker’s ability to potentially fill such a role that it handed him a partially guaranteed contract.

Though his contract is only partially guaranteed, the Knicks will keep a close eye on Baker as a full-season option during the 2016 Summer League.

Baker has a lot of Jeff Hornacek in him, which is likely why the team coached by Jeff Hornacek signed him. He’s a shooting guard who can handle the ball and facilitate, but will make his nightly impact as a 3-and-D specialist.

That’s exactly what New York needs out of its backcourt players.

Hornacek made a glorious 14-year career out of that combination of abilities. Thus, it stands to reason that New York will give Baker a chance to shine—especially when one considers the fact that New York needs players of that specific caliber.

Baker could be a genuine steal of a signing, and a long-term third guard at the next level.

Next: One Last Chance?

Cleanthony Early

Position: Small Forward
Age: 25 (4/17/1991)
2015-16 Slash Line: .300/.267/.750
2015-16 Season Averages: 9.1 MPG, 1.8 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.4 APG

The second Wichita State Shockers alum to make this list has been on the New York Knicks for two years. Cleanthony Early struggled as a rookie and failed to produce ideally in 2015-16, albeit as he overcame a gunshot wound to the knee.

Patience appears to be running thin, however, as the Knicks declined the right to make Early a restricted free agent.

In other words, Early will have to earn his roster spot during Summer League play.

Early is a 6’7″ small forward with a 6’11” wingspan, fluid athleticism, and explosive leaping ability. He recorded a 40″ max vertical leap at the 2014 NBA Draft Combine, and has no trouble playing above the rim in games.

Unfortunately, Early hasn’t been able to put his size, length, or athleticism to good use during his first two seasons in the NBA.

Through two seasons, Early has played 56 games on the main roster. During that time, he’s accumulated a slash line of .346/.263/.750—well below the standards for acceptable field goal and 3-point field goal percentages.

Now 25 years of age, this could be Early’s final chance to earn a main roster spot in New York.

Next: 2016 NBA Draft Target

Marvelle Harris

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 22 (12/16/1993)
2015-16 Slash Line (College): .407/.325/.752
2015-16 Season Averages (College): 36.7 MPG, 20.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.9 3PM

The New York Knicks worked Marvelle Harris out leading up to the 2016 NBA Draft. New York decided against purchasing a draft pick, but its interest in Harris still proved to be legitimate.

Less than 12 hours after the annual selection process, it was announced that Harris would appear on the Knicks’ Summer League roster.

Haynes also reported that Harris turned heads at his pre-draft workout for the Knicks.

As previously alluded to, Harris is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Fresno State men’s basketball program. He’s a capable 3-point shooter and quality finisher who stands at 6’4″ with a near 6’8″ wingspan.

If he’s able to handle the pace of an NBA game, Harris could provide depth at the 2.

Harris is also a quality facilitator who, on the opposite end, excels in playing passing lanes and displays upside as an on-ball defender. For a Knicks team that’s in dire need of 3-and-D players, that could make Harris a main roster target.

At the very least, it’d be hard to imagine New York not attempting to sign Harris to the Westchester Knicks for a stint in the D-League.

Next: 2014 NBA Draft Pick

Louis Labeyrie

Position: Power Forward
Age: 24 (2/11/1992)
2015-16 Slash Line (LNB Pro A): .565/.410/.560
2015-16 Season Averages (LNB Pro A): 21.5 MPG, 7.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.0 BPG, 0.5 3PM

The New York Knicks acquired Louis Labeyrie with the No. 57 overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft. Labeyrie has played for the Knicks’ Summer League team before, but never has there been as grand an opportunity as this for him to make the main roster.

A stretch 4 with size and 3-point range, Labeyrie could be an excellent fit under head coach Jeff Hornacek.

For those unfamiliar, Labeyrie is a 6’10” power forward with a 6’11” wingspan. He’s an active player on both ends of the floor who rebounds well defensively and displays a raw tenacity on the offensive glass.

Labeyrie is also a quality athlete for his position, displaying the ability to run the floor and play above the rim.

For the Knicks, Labeyrie’s greatest value would be found in his ability to space the floor from beyond the arc. He has stretch 4 potential that’s rapidly taking shape in France’s vaunted LNB Pro A.

With Hornacek running the show from the sidelines, the time may be now for New York to bring its 2014 NBA Draft investment over to the NBA.

Next: Infectious Energy

Marshall Plumlee

Position: Center
Age: 23 (7/14/1992)
2015-16 Slash Line (College): .688/.000/.575
2015-16 Season Averages (College): 30.5 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.3 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.8 SPG

The New York Knicks have agreed to the terms of a four-year deal worth $72 million with free agent center Joakim Noah. Alongside Noah, second-year phenom Kristaps Porzingis will spot minutes at the 5 as New York grooms him to become the long-term answer at the position.

Depth is vital in the NBA, however, which sparked New York’s decision to sign Marshall Plumlee following the 2016 NBA Draft.

Plumlee could become both a fan favorite and a quality reserve in New York.

The primary appeal with Plumlee is that he’s a 7’1″ center who moves with fluid athleticism in the half court. He’s not DeAndre Jordan, but he can play above the rim and isn’t afraid to throw his body around.

If nothing else, Plumlee could provide the Knicks with continuity by giving an all-out effort in relief of All-NBA energy guy Joakim Noah.

Plumlee is hoping to join his two brothers as what’s becoming the most omnipresent family in the NBA. Mason Plumlee started all 82 regular games—as well as 11 in the playoffs—for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2015-16, and Miles Plumlee is currently a restricted free agent.

must read: New York Knicks: Free Agency Tracker with live updates!

The question is, can New York strike gold with Marshall in the way Portland did with Mason?