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New York Knicks: Early candidates for roster cuts

By Rob Wolkenbrod

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 1: Kadeem Allen #0 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Washington Wizards during pre-season game on October 1, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 1: Kadeem Allen #0 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Washington Wizards during pre-season game on October 1, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Luke Kornet #2 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Luke Kornet #2 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Ron Baker

Ron Baker will make $4.5 million in 2018-19, after signing a two-year deal in 2017 that included a player option. It might not make a difference, however.

Trier, Damyean Dotson and Mario Hezonja have all received longer looks this preseason than Baker, who’s 10.6 minutes per game sit near the bottom of the roster, averaging just 1.3 shot attempts in that time.

Baker’s value comes from the defensive end and energy, something that should fit into head coach David Fizdale’s unique offense, and his salary makes it a little more complicated for New York to eat, anyway. Though, with players more deserving, and after a lost season due to injuries, it makes him a candidate for release.

2. Luke Kornet

Where it gets interesting for the Knicks, there’s a handful of players with guaranteed contracts that have sat on the outside looking in. One of them is Luke Kornet, who received $1.6 million in the offseason.

Kornet appeared in two of the three preseason games and averaged just 1.5 points on 20 percent shooting in 7.8 minutes. It’s a small sample size but other big men have performed better, including Noah Vonleh on a partially guaranteed deal and rookie Mitchell Robinson.

Despite this, Kornet still offers intriguing size at 7-foot-1, with the ability to shoot three-pointers. Maybe that keeps him around, but so far, he has not done enough

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