The New York Knicks recently waived small forward Troy Williams. Though perceived as a throwaway move, it could have big implications for the Knicks.
The New York Knicks are in the midst of a rebuild that could be expedited as soon as the 2019 offseason. As a franchise that’s finally learning to avoid cutting corners, however, the Knicks must exercise a significant measure of patience along the way.
Unfortunately, following a rewarding stint at Summer League, one player was unable to remain a member of the long-term rebuild: Troy Williams.
Knicks waive forward Troy Williams
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) July 16, 2018
It was a surprising revelation that beckons quite a few questions for the organization.
Williams, 23, appeared to have fit the timeline along which Scott Perry, Steve Mills, and the Knicks are rebuilding. Unfortunately, he was ultimately a casualty of the front office’s need to trim the roster to the maximum number of 17 spots, including a pair of two-way contracts.
With his departure, the Knicks can now enter the 2018-19 season with the exact roster they have today—but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will.
Williams’ departure creates flexibility with the rotation, but it also beckons questions about what the future holds. A fair number of roster decisions need to be made, especially if the front office is planning to utilize free agency as a rebuilding tool in 2019.
The question is: What exactly does the decision to waive Troy Williams mean for the New York Knicks as they enter the next stage of the rebuild?
These five burning questions could provide those answers.