5. Familiarity
As previously alluded to, Maurice Ndour played for the New York Knicks’ at the 2015 Summer League. It was a rewarding opportunity for Ndour, who went from an undrafted free agent to a member of the NBA.
Though he may have spent most of the 2015-16 season overseas, the fact that Ndour has played for the Knicks at Summer League creates familiarity.
Ndour may not have been an active member of the main roster, but he didn’t need to be. The Knicks had an extensive opportunity to scout him during Summer League play, and had the same chance when he was in Europe.
Not only are the Knicks familiar with Ndour from his 2015 Summer League tenure, but recent acquisition Willy Hernangomez played with him in Spain, as well.
💪🏽💪🏽 happy to see you again bro! #teammate #knicks https://t.co/LiViPps2Ce
— Willy Hernangómez Geuer (@willyhg94) July 13, 2016
Relationships are key in the NBA.
Hernangomez will now have two former teammates helping him make the adjustment to the NBA: Ndour and Kristaps Porzingis. Ndour will have an organization that knows what it wants from him, and what his strengths and weaknesses are.
This is a low-risk, high-reward type of signing that Knicks fans should get behind.
Next: Never Say Die