The New York Knicks just threw five veteran players into the training camp mix this past week, setting up a brutal fight for potentially just one or two final roster spots. Among the names battling for a chance are wings John Konchar, Bruce Brown, and Ochai Agbaji, alongside big men Drew Eubanks and James Wiseman. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Knicks are only looking to fill one of their two current maximum 15 standard contract vacancies unless they somehow shed salary. It’s a tight squeeze, making every single player’s situation high stakes.
Mike Brown’s Secret Wish For a Third Big
Guess who’s making waves in this roster battle? James Wiseman. Here’s the kicker: Knicks head coach Mike Brown was an assistant for the Golden State Warriors during Wiseman’s first two seasons in the league. And word on the street is Brown is a legit Wiseman fan. Think about that! The newly crowned champs clearly need a third big man to back up Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, and Brown’s history with Wiseman could be a game-changer. It almost feels like a perfect storm for Wiseman to grab a spot.
Achilles, What Achilles? Wiseman’s Uphill Climb Is Real
But let’s be real, Wiseman’s path is anything but easy. The guy, now 25, has only seen action in five games over the past two seasons while with the Indiana Pacers. Why? He suffered a torn left Achilles in the 2024-25 season opener, a brutal setback. His career averages aren’t exactly blowing anyone away either: just nine points and 5.5 rebounds in 152 total games since he was the No. 2 overall pick back in the 2020 NBA draft. So, while Brown might be a fan and the Knicks definitely need a big, Wiseman is gonna have to fight tooth and nail through intense competition to earn that roster spot.
Opening Night is October 21, and that’s when we’ll find out if Wiseman’s history with Brown and the team’s clear need for a big man are enough to push him past the competition and make the final cut. It’s going to be a fascinating battle to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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