sportingnews
The New York Knicks have made a strategic move by giving several seasoned veterans the chance to compete for one of the last remaining roster spots during the preseason. Among these players are individuals with significant NBA experience, including former champions.
However, the time for trimming the roster has arrived. On Thursday, the Knicks waived center Drew Eubanks after he sustained a torn pectoral muscle, an injury that will keep him out for an extended period, according to ESPN sources. Eubanks had been vying for a backup center position during training camp, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.
This development is a tough break for Eubanks, especially since New York is expected to allocate its final roster spot to a center. Before the injury, NBA champion James Wiseman appeared to be in a favorable position to claim that spot. Now, the injury has all but cemented his chances.
Prior to Eubanks' injury, Wiseman had already put himself in a good position to make the Knicks' final roster, per SNY sources familiar with the situation. The Knicks have enough room under the second apron to keep one camp veteran, as noted by SNY's Ian Begley. Beating out Wiseman for a roster spot was always going to be a challenge, especially after his recent standout performance.
The 7-footer recorded a double-double against the Toronto Raptors, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and 10 rebounds in a 148-98 loss on Tuesday. With the Knicks resting their starters for the final preseason game, Wiseman got the start and made the most of it, though it didn't significantly impact the scoreboard, as NBC Sports' Noah Rubin observed.
Key Analysis
All that remains is for the Knicks to find a way to retain Bruce Brown. The team needs a third center as insurance against injuries, and Wiseman's connection to head coach Mike Brown certainly helps his case. While it's unfortunate that an injury has seemingly secured Wiseman's roster spot, such is the nature of professional sports. New York already has a clear picture of what its regular-season roster will look like heading into the final preseason game.
Originally reported by sportingnews.