The New York Knicks just waived veteran guard Bruce Brown on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. This move clears the way for center James Wiseman to officially earn a spot on the Knicks’ regular-season roster as a depth piece, a huge moment for the former No. 2 overall pick.
The Roster Crunch and Cap Squeeze
This wasn’t just some random roster shuffle, folks. New York has two open roster spots, but keeping both Brown and Wiseman would have pushed them into the dreaded second apron, a luxury tax threshold that brings serious penalties. ESPN’s Bobby Marks pointed that out, and it’s clear the Knicks had to make a tough call. SNY’s Ian Begley even reported there was “strong support” within the organization to keep Brown, but it would have required a trade. That deal never materialized before he was released.
Wiseman wasn’t walking into this spot easily either. He was competing with fellow big men Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley for that reserve center role behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond. But Eubanks and Bradley were waived on Thursday, making Wiseman’s path much clearer. It really shows how committed the Knicks are to giving Wiseman this shot.
James Wiseman’s Make-or-Break Opportunity
Now, we all know James Wiseman’s story. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency since he entered the league. It’s been a tough road for the kid, no doubt. But here’s the kicker: he’s still only 25 years old! And he just had a solid preseason with New York, averaging 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in just 11.5 minutes per game, while shooting an incredibly efficient 81.3 percent from the field. That’s a huge sign of potential, isn’t it? He’s also got some familiarity with Knicks head coach Mike Brown, who was an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors when Wiseman was there. That connection could be vital for him to finally find his footing and consistently contribute.
This isn’t just a regular season opener for the Knicks, it’s a huge moment for Wiseman. The defending champions kick off their 2026-27 season against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, with tip-off at 7 p.m. ET. Every minute Wiseman gets will be under a microscope. Can he shed the “inconsistent” label and prove why he was a No. 2 pick? We’ll find out soon enough.
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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