The New York Knicks have re-signed 2014 NBA Draft pick Cleanthony Early. Here are five reasons you should absolutely love the move.
Following the primary roster moves made by team president Phil Jackson, most eyes in New York City turned to Cleanthony Early. Though he’s been rather underwhelming in his two seasons with the New York Knicks, he was the first player drafted by Jackson.
It took more than three months for something to transpire, but the Knicks have finally made a decision on Early’s future with the team.
The Knicks are re-signing forward Cleanthony Early, sources tell The Vertical. Early expected to start season in D-League, rehab hamstring.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 13, 2016
Jackson traded into the 2014 NBA Draft to select Early at No. 34 overall. No one expected a star to be found in the second round, and Jackson was dealt a tough hand with zero draft picks, but the selection was significant.
Two years later, Early has shown minimal signs of improvement and few reasons to be optimistic about his future in New York.
True as that all may be, there are still reasons to applaud Jackson for bringing Early back for another season. It may not be a groundbreaking or franchise-altering move, but it’s a decision worth evaluating.
There are reasons for skepticism, of course, but there are also five reasons to love this move.