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Knicks continue to slash forward depth with recent roster transaction

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Nathan Knight #1 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 09, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks won 114-107. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Nathan Knight #1 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 09, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks won 114-107. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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You’re not alone if you’re a fan trying to connect the dots to figure out what the New York Knicks are doing. After waiving forward Isaiah Roby and guard Jaylen Martin, who was on a two-way, the Knicks waived forward Nathan Knight on Thursday.

Knight signed a two-way deal with New York in the offseason, so the team currently has a couple of two-way spots open. The only player currently on a two-way contract is guard Dylan Windler.

Shortly after it was reported that Knight had been waived, the PR team announced that the Knicks had signed forward/center Mamadi Diakite and guard Brandon Goodwin to Exhibit 10 deals.

New York can waive Diakite and Goodwin before the regular season starts next week and retain their G League rights.

Knicks waive two-way forward Nathan Knight, sign two players to Exhibit 10 deals

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which means you probably wouldn’t be reading this), you know that New York traded backup power forward Obi Toppin at the beginning of July. The Knicks already had Isaiah Roby on the roster then because he signed a two-year deal on the final day of the 2022-23 regular season.

The belief was that Roby would be Julius Randle’s primary backup, but it was then reported that New York intended to use Josh Hart as Randle’s backup in 2023-24. That still seems to be the plan, and players like Roby and Knight wouldn’t have played big minutes regardless, but it’s still puzzling to see the Knicks cut their forward depth.

Considering Diakite and Goodwin signed deals the day after New York’s preseason finale, they won’t make the final roster. Fans have guessed that forward Jacob Toppin, who’s on an Exhibit 9 deal, will fill one of the two-way spots. Toppin went undrafted in June and needs time to develop, and if the Knicks waive him, it’ll be that much more challenging to decipher the front office’s plan.

As suspected, maybe this is all part of something bigger. Stay tuned! The roster transactions aren’t over yet.

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