2 Knicks who are pointless to have on the roster in 2023-24
Barring a massive shakeup before the start of the season, the New York Knicks’ roster will look a lot like it did a few months ago when 2022-23 ended. The front office is preparing for yet another year where the headlines will be centered around the team’s hunt for a star.
The Knicks don’t have a bad contract on the books, not even Evan Fournier. He’s on an expiring deal and will likely be gone before the trade deadline.
Training camp and preseason will be interesting for several reasons, mainly to see how players like Deuce McBride, who ended last season outside of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, perform.
New York’s depth should continue to be a strong point unless a trade happens. However, two players don’t have much of a future with the Knicks and likely won’t see playing time at all.
2 Knicks who are pointless to have on the roster in 2023-24
2: Isaiah Roby
Isaiah Roby has a non-guaranteed salary of $2 million for 2023-24, meaning the Knicks could waive him before the season starts. If he’s still on the roster on Jan. 10, his salary will become fully guaranteed.
He signed with New York on the final day of the regular season in April and was ineligible for the playoffs because he was on San Antonio’s roster after March 1.
Roby played for the Knicks at Summer League after rehabbing an ankle injury, and he drew substantial attention after HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported the team was planning to use him as the backup power forward after trading Obi Toppin.
While he had a couple of good outings in Vegas, it wasn’t convincing enough to declare he deserves a roster spot, hence why New York is planning to use Josh Hart as the backup four. The Knicks signed Nathan Knight to a two-way this summer, who could be used as a depth option if needed.
1: Evan Fournier
Evan Fournier has said he doesn’t want to spend another season sidelined. The good news is that although he’ll likely enter training camp with the Knicks, he won’t spend a whole year in NYC.
He could be used as salary filler in a trade for a star, which fans would like because that’d mean he contributed to something in his final year and a half (ish) with the Knicks.
Fournier still believes he has a lot to provide, and while that might be true, it won’t happen in New York. When Tom Thibodeau removes a veteran from the starting lineup for a younger player, you know the Knicks are better off without him.