REPORT: Knicks announce dangerously thin season roster

October 21, 2024 Admin New York Knicks 0

The New York Knicks are heading into the 2024–2025 NBA season with what many consider to be their strongest roster in years, but injuries and roster cuts have left them with a significantly thinner rotation than anticipated. With their season opener against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, the Knicks are now working with just a 10-man rotation, which could pose challenges in the early part of the season.

Key injuries are impacting the team’s depth, particularly the absence of center Mitchell Robinson, who is sidelined until at least the new year due to an ankle injury. His presence is crucial for the Knicks, as he is not only a starter but also a formidable force in the paint. Backup big Precious Achiuwa has also been ruled out for two to four weeks with a strained left hamstring, further depleting the frontcourt options.

 

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The Knicks’ roster is currently down to just 12 players with guaranteed contracts, which is two fewer than the NBA minimum requirement, alongside three two-way players. This situation has led to significant adjustments in the lineup, especially in the frontcourt, where they will need to rely heavily on Karl-Anthony Towns, Jericho Sims, and rookie Ariel Hukporti, who is likely to transition from a two-way deal to a standard contract.

 

 

Sims, who was largely an afterthought when the roster was healthy, now finds himself as the second-string center, while Hukporti is suddenly a critical part of the rotation. This thin bench could be a concern, especially when paired with an impressive starting five featuring Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Towns.

Despite the challenges, the Knicks are allowed to carry fewer than 14 players for up to 28 days during the regular season, providing some flexibility as they navigate this difficult period. However, the early-season struggles with depth could impact their performance and overall success as they aim to compete in a challenging Eastern Conference.

 

Here’s the updated roster for the 2024-25 New York Knicks, along with the designations for starters and players on non-guaranteed contracts:

2024-25 New York Knicks Roster

Guards:

  • No. 1 — Cam Payne
  • No. 2 — Miles McBride
  • No. 11 — Jalen Brunson (PG)
  • No. 13 — Tyler Kolek

Wings:

  • No. 00 — Jacob Toppin
  • No. 3 — Josh Hart (SF)
  • No. 4 — Pacome Dadiet (non-guaranteed)
  • No. 8 — OG Anunoby (PF)
  • No. 9 — Kevin McCullar Jr.
  • No. 25 — Mikal Bridges (SG)

Bigs:

  • No. 5 — Precious Achiuwa (re-evaluated in 2-4 weeks)
  • No. 20 — Jericho Sims
  • No. 23 — Mitchell Robinson (out until 2025)
  • No. 32 — Karl-Anthony Towns (C)
  • No. 55 — Ariel Hukporti (non-guaranteed)

Key Points:

  • Starters are indicated in bold: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
  • Non-guaranteed deals are indicated in italics: Pacome Dadiet and Ariel Hukporti.
  • The team is currently dealing with injuries to key players like Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa, which significantly impacts their depth and rotation strategy as the season begins.

This roster positions the Knicks well in terms of talent, but the health and performance of the bench will be crucial as they navigate the early part of the season.

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