Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks add another former Clippers center to roster in two-way move

By Jordanna Clark

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Moses Brown #9 of the LA Clippers rebounds past TyTy Washington Jr. #0 and Garrison Mathews #25 of the Houston Rockets during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Moses Brown #9 of the LA Clippers rebounds past TyTy Washington Jr. #0 and Garrison Mathews #25 of the Houston Rockets during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

For the second time in less than a year, the New York Knicks have signed a former Clippers center to the roster. After giving Isaiah Hartenstein a two-year, $16 million contract in free agency last summer, the Knicks announced that they were signing center Moses Brown to a two-way contract on Wednesday.

Before joining New York, Brown spent time on five NBA teams after going undrafted in 2019 out of UCLA. The 23-year-old played in 34 games for LA this season and averaged 4.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 8.5 minutes. He was on a two-way contract with the Clippers and was waived on Feb. 17 after he had reached his games-played limit (50).

He’s played for Portland (nine games in 2019-20), Oklahoma City (43 games in 2020-21), Dallas (26 games in 2021-22), Cleveland (14 games in 2021-22), and Los Angeles (34 games in 2022-23). However, signing a two-way contract with New York is likely extra special for Brown given that he’s a native of Queens and attended Archbishop Molloy High School.

Knicks sign Queens native Moses Brown to two-way contract

Signing Moses Brown is the second roster move that New York has made this week after signing DaQuan Jeffries to a 10-day contract on March 5. Trevor Keels, who is on a two-way contract, had previously been on a 10-day contract.

Brown has potential. The best year of his career happened with the Thunder in 2020-21 where he averaged a career-high 8.6 points and 8.9 rebounds in 21.4 minutes. He started in 32 of the 43 games that he played for OKC that season. His performance resulted in the Thunder signing Brown to a four-year, $6.8 million contract in March 2021.

However, a few months later, Oklahoma City traded him and Al Horford to Boston in exchange for Kemba Walker, a 2021 first-round draft pick, and a 2025 second-round draft pick. Brown didn’t appear in a game for the Celtics as he was traded to the Mavericks the following month.

Standing at seven-foot-two, he gives the Knicks additional depth at center although he’ll get more run in Westchester. He’s another prototypical center that can rebound and protect the rim but isn’t a stretch five.

Mitchell Robinson returned from an injury after the All-Star break and has been playing at a high level since then. Behind him on the depth chart are Isaiah Hartenstein and Jericho Sims. There’s a chance that Knicks fans could see Brown get some playing time as the season wears on. Signing Brown to a two-way contract isn’t a major move by any means, but it’s one that fans should still be excited about. He’s proven that he can be a threat in this league.

Welcome home, Moses.

Home/Knicks News