With almost everyone on fully guaranteed contracts, NBA training camps tend to lack the “Hard Knocks” type of suspense. Everything is set before camp even begins.
new York will be the exception this season. Knicks have 14 fully guaranteed contracts, and the battle for the final roster spot just got a lot more interesting. The Knicks announced they were bringing in a big, veteran wideout Marcus Morris Sr.
Earlier this week, New York has signed veteran shooting guard Landry Shamet to a non-guaranteed contract to allow him to come in and compete for that final roster spot. The Knicks also have former Orlando first round pick Chuma Okeke I’m coming to training camp.
Morris, Shamet and Okeke will compete for the final roster spot on the Knicks (the Knicks could also choose to let them all go and keep that roster spot open, saving money and allowing more roster flexibility at the trade deadline).
Morris might have an advantage in this race. First, he has played in New York before, having been with the team for much of the 2019-20 season. Second, New York is thin in the front court behind Mitchell RobinsonIf Morris can prove that at 35 he can still make three-pointers and contribute defensively, he fills a need.
Last season, Morris split his time between Philadelphia And Cleveland averaging 6.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, or just under 17 minutes of play per game, mostly as a substitute. He shot 40.3 percent from three-point range but struggled somewhat on defense.
It’s going to be an interesting training camp for New York next month.
