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The Knicks’ roster continues to take shape for the 2018-19 season, as ESPN’s Ian Begley reported this morning that the Knicks will bring Isaiah Hicks back for a second season on a two-way contract:
Isaiah Hicks is expected to sign a 2-way contract with the Knicks shortly, per ESPN sources.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 3, 2018
That means that the Knicks have now filled both of their two-way slots going into the upcoming season, with Allonzo Trier filling the first spot on draft night. This is also means that the Knicks have re-signed both of their two-way players from a year ago: Hicks on a two-way deal, and Luke Kornet on a regular ol’ NBA deal.
Hicks averaged 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in his 18 games with the Knicks last season, and his robust 15.6 points, eight boards and two blocks per game helped propel the Westchester Knicks to the top seed in the G-League playoffs.
Next on the Knicks’ list of moves, presumably, is signing second-round draftee Mitchell Robinson to an NBA contract at some point soon. Robinson can be signed to a rookie minimum deal or part of the roughly $2 million of leftover mid-level exception from the Mario Hezonja signing (possibly to get Robinson to commit to a longer deal by paying him first-round money).
The Knicks are also now sporting a full 17-man roster between the two two-way deals and the 15 other players signed, meaning that when it comes time to sign Robinson, someone will need to be cut:
With Isaiah Hicks & Allonzo Trier on 2-way contracts, NYK has 17 players under contract for 2018-19. If they want to add another FA, they’ll have to release/trade a player under contract. NYK has roughly $2.1 portion of mid-level exception & $3.4M biannual exception available. https://t.co/sGvo3zgkSZ
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 3, 2018
Since the Knicks are expected to use both of their two-way contracts (Isaiah Hicks & Allonzo Trier), they will have to waive or trade a player currently under contract if they want to sign 2nd round pick Mitchell Robinson to a traditional NBA deal.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 3, 2018
The Knicks also still have the $3.2 million bi-annual exception at their disposal, which could potentially displace another incumbent Knick.
What are your thoughts on bringing Hicks back for another tour of duty? Let us know in the comments!