Hold up, Knicks fans! Marc Stein just dropped a bombshell that changes everything for five guys fighting for their NBA lives. New York is rolling with 14 standard contracts this season, not the full 15. Yeah, you heard that right. That means Bruce Brown, John Konchar, Ochai Agbaji, Drew Eubanks, and James Wiseman are all duking it out for *one* roster spot. We’re talking absolute high stakes right out of the gate here. With the Knicks sitting only a little over $3 million below the second apron, there’s only enough wiggle room in the budget for one additional veteran-minimum contract. No second chances for anyone.
The Center Grind: Wiseman and Eubanks Go Head-to-Head
Here’s where it gets even spicier: New York’s biggest need is clearly more help at center, not on the wing. That immediately makes Drew Eubanks and James Wiseman the undeniable frontrunners for that final, precious spot. These two are going to be battling it out in camp, showing everything they’ve got. But Wiseman, man, he’s got a secret weapon, and it’s a big one: Bruce Brown is a massive James Wiseman fan. How huge is that? Brown was literally an assistant coach for the Warriors when they picked Wiseman second overall in the 2020 draft! If there’s anyone who knows what kind of potential Wiseman has, what he can *really* do, it’s Brown. He helped evaluate the young big man out of Memphis then, and he still sees something special.
That “Wow” Factor: Can Wiseman Finally Unleash It?
This isn’t some casual endorsement either. Brown didn’t just say Wiseman was “good.” Back in 2021, he actually said: “James,he does stuff on a daily basis that makes you sit back and go, ‘Wow. Did he just do that? Am I seeing that?’ The sky is the limit for him. I don’t know if there’s anything that he’s not gonna be able to do when he reaches his peak.” That’s incredible praise, right? Imagine bringing that kind of recommendation to the front office when they need a third big man behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond! Wiseman’s rookie season flashed that potential, putting up 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in just 21.4 minutes across 39 games, with 27 starts. But a torn right meniscus cut that year short, and the injury bug has tragically clung to him through Detroit and Indiana ever since. This is his chance for a fresh start, to finally live up to that insane potential, despite all the painful memories of Mitchell Robinson dunking on him.
So, for James Wiseman, this isn’t just another training camp. This is *everything*. If he can show even a fraction of that “sky’s the limit” talent and stay healthy, Bruce Brown’s belief could be the key to locking down that final roster spot for opening night. The season kicks off on October 21st, and the Knicks need to make the right call to ensure they’re ready to contend. This team is going to be good. Knicks in five!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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