The New York Knicks, fresh off their championship run, finalized their 2026-27 roster by making a huge call this Saturday: they are keeping former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman and waiving veteran Bruce Brown. This move shows the reigning champs are making a serious bet on raw potential over proven reliability, especially as they beef up their frontcourt depth for the tough season ahead.
The Big Bet on James Wiseman: Can He Deliver for the Champs?
So, the Knicks are rolling with Wiseman, who was originally the No. 2 overall pick way back in 2020. The dude has been a bit of a project, no doubt. After Mitchell Robinson bounced to the rival Boston Celtics in free agency, New York clearly needed to shore up their center rotation behind Karl-Anthony Towns. They snagged Andre Drummond to be the main backup, but clearly, they wanted more size and potential. Wiseman joined on an Exhibit 9 training camp deal, and now that’s being converted into a league minimum contract. The preseason? He showed flashes, averaging 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in four appearances. Not bad, right? But here’s the kicker: Wiseman has struggled to produce at a high level and has had defensive woes since entering the league. He played in just five games over the last two seasons in Indiana and hasn’t been a regular rotation guy since 2023-24, when he put up 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 63 games for Detroit. The Knicks, after impressing Mike Brown in the preseason, are hoping he can finally provide that much-needed size in reserve and contribute beyond spot duty. It is a gamble, but for the reigning champs, maybe it is a calculated one.
Bruce Brown Waived: A Veteran Exits
On the flip side of this roster shuffle is Bruce Brown. The veteran guard is now looking for a new home after being waived by the Knicks. Brown’s departure is a bit of a head-scratcher when you look at his numbers from last season. He played in all 82 games with the Denver Nuggets, averaging a solid 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. That is serious production for a player you are letting walk. He brought that veteran presence and consistent performance, so to see him cut for a guy like Wiseman, who has struggled for years, definitely makes you wonder about the Knicks’ priorities. Brown will certainly hope to find an opportunity elsewhere, and given his experience and recent stats, you gotta figure he will land on his feet.
This decision from the reigning NBA champs sets the stage for what could be a really interesting season for them. Will Wiseman finally live up to that No. 2 pick potential and be a key piece off the bench, or will this move prove to be a misstep? The league will definitely be watching to see how this plays out for New York.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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