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The New York Knicks made their first roster move of training camp, releasing point guard Luca Vildoza on Sunday. The team’s PR account made it official.
The Knicks signed the Argentine PG toward the end of last season with the hope that he would bolster their rotation in 2021-22. Vildoza played for Argentina in the Tokyo Olympics and then a couple of games for the Knicks in Summer League before injuring his ankle. That ankle injury never really healed, and he started training camp in a walking boot, unable to practice. Marc Berman claims there were some ankle complications.
Luca had fluid in back of his foot after summer league, complicating his official ankle sprain. https://t.co/Yd3zKv0vaS
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) October 3, 2021
Head coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned the lack of availability as the main reason for cutting ties.
Here are Tom Thibodeau’s full quotes on the Knicks waiving Luca Vildoza earlier today: pic.twitter.com/cuxgwun0aa
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) October 3, 2021
The writing was probably on the wall when the Knicks signed two point guards in free agency (Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose) and chose another two in the draft (Miles McBride, Rokas Jokubaitis — though he will play overseas this season). Still, it’s pretty harsh. Luca played for his country, immediately flew to Vegas for Summer League, and got hurt. He seems like a good dude who loves his dog.
Once A Knick Always A Knick (this is a tweet about Luca Vildoza’s dog) pic.twitter.com/q3oFAH5MS2
— Rebecca Goldstein (@becgo) October 3, 2021
We wish you (and your dog) the best of luck, Luca Vildoza. Go find that money!
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