The New York Knicks are still in the process of looking for a veteran big man to fill out the rest of their roster, whether it be Kevin Seraphin, Carlos Boozer or someone else. Before a move is made regarding a backup big man, the Knicks have reportedly waived guard Ricky Ledo a couple of days before his contract became partially guaranteed.
Ledo being waived means the Knicks are reportedly more likely to sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a deal now, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
With Ledo being waived the Knicks now have 13 players with guaranteed deals (Langston Galloway is partially guaranteed, but he is fully expected to make the team.) That leaves room for the backup big man and one more player. Antetokounmpo will likely now be brought into Knicks training camp this season on a partially guaranteed contract with every chance of making the final roster.
Antetokounmpo and his agent were adamant earlier this offseason about getting a chance to make an NBA roster after he had spent the past two seasons in the D-League. Antetokounmpo has previously turned down lucrative offers to play overseas so that he could develop his game with the Knicks coaches, and he now feels it is his time to make the Knicks roster.
Antetokounmpo is 23 and the older brother of rising NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Thanasis is not nearly as polished as his brother or as big (6-foot-7), but he is a very good defensive player that has shown some signs of improvement. Antetokounmpo reportedly doesn't have a high basketball IQ or a very good jumpshot, but he could still be useful off the bench or as a defensive ace and could develop into even more as a long-term prospect.
If Antetokounmpo were to get a deal from the Knicks, as is being reported, he is still not a lock to make the team. The young Greek player will still have to show in training camp that he is worthy of making the roster. The Knicks will have more than 15 players in training camp, and if the undrafted free agents have better showings than Antetokounmpo does, it is very possible he will be released and then have to play in Europe next season or the D-League for a third year. The fact that Ledo was waived, though, was a very good sign that he will at least have a legitimate chance to be a Knick next season.
