Hours before the New York Knicks’ regular season finale against the Pacers on Sunday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the team was signing forward Isaiah Roby. The 25-year-old received $400,000 from the Knicks on the final day of the regular season and will be on a non-guaranteed contract in 2023-24.
Given the timing of the signing, Roby wasn’t on New York’s bench on Sunday. Because he was on a roster after March 1, he won’t be eligible to compete in the playoffs for the Knicks. Even if he were eligible for the postseason, he likely wouldn’t be in the rotation anyways.
So, why did New York give $400,000 to a player who may never play in a game for the team?
Isaiah Roby is getting $400K for the last day of the regular season, league sources say. Roby will be non-guaranteed heading into the summer with an opportunity to make the 23-24 roster. He’s not playoff eligible this season since he was on another roster after March 1.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) April 9, 2023
Why did Knicks bother signing former Spurs forward Isaiah Roby?
On March 3, the Spurs announced that they had waived Isaiah Roby. He hadn’t played in a game for San Antonio since Feb. 13, but being on the roster was enough to eliminate him from joining another team for the playoffs.
Roby will represent the Knicks at Summer League and will compete for a spot on the 2023-24 roster, but New York could also choose to part ways with him over the summer without paying him more than the $400,000.
He did well for the Thunder in 2021-22, averaging a career-high 10.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 45 games (28 starts). In the 42 games that he played for the Spurs this season, Roby averaged 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds. He’s a young talent that could turn into something more in New York.
With the Knicks likely not having a 2023 NBA Draft pick thanks to the Mavericks’ tanking efforts, the front office has turned elsewhere. Roby was the No. 45 overall pick in 2019.
Fans will have to wait a while to get to see Isaiah Roby in action, but clearly, New York’s front office sees something promising in him. See you in Vegas, Isaiah!
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