This week, the New York Knicks made three roster transactions to fully fill their roster. They signed former Northwestern guard Boo Buie to a two-way contract, upgraded Ariel Hukporti’s two-way contract to a normal one, and added experienced shooter Matt Ryan to a non-guaranteed contract.
The two most noteworthy additions are Ryan and Hukporti, who might actually see action with the Knicks this season. Over the course of three seasons, Ryan has participated in 63 NBA games and shot 41% from outside the arc. The Westchester Knicks, the Knicks’ affiliate, selected him with the first overall pick in the G-League draft.
The Knicks dismissed Landry Shamet due to a shoulder issue so they could sign another player. For the first two weeks of the season, New York only had 12 players on regular NBA contracts; by Tuesday, they needed to have at least 14. It’s unknown if Ryan will be waived before January 7 or stay with the organization, although his pay is entirely guaranteed on that date.
Due to injuries that have severely limited their bench depth, Ryan may be able to enter the rotation right immediately. He provides the Knicks with two things they sorely need off the bench: size and lights-out shooting.
With Jericho Sims having a tough start to the season, the seven-foot German player Hukporti showed promise in the preseason and might swiftly establish himself as the team’s backup center. Last week, the big man played 12 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers and did a good job of protecting Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
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In the previous year’s draft, Hukporti was selected with the 58th overall pick. The trade for Karl-Anthony Towns and the injuries to Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa altered the initial prediction that he would be benched for the season. He could potentially be a vital member of the rotation, at least early in the year.
Hukporti’s contract was converted, creating a two-way berth that allowed the Knicks to sign Buie. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Buie has rejoined the team after signing a non-guaranteed contract with New York during the preseason.
During his five seasons as a college player at Northwestern, the 6-2 guard averaged 14.7 points per game in 149 games. In addition to winning the Lefty Drissell Award, which is presented to Division 1’s finest defensive player, this past season, he was named to the First Team All-Big Ten twice.
