HOUSTON – The Knicks still need to fill out their roster to meet the NBA requirements and are making two expected moves.
With Tuesday’s deadline upcoming to reach the minimum of 14 NBA standard contracts, the Knicks plan to sign wing Matt Ryan and convert the two-way contract of center Ariel Hukporti, a source confirmed Monday.
Ryan, a local product from Iona Prep, is a sharpshooting 27-year-old who has already played for four NBA teams.
He agreed to sign with the Knicks but a source said Monday the structure of the contract is still being worked out – specifically whether it’s a standard or a two-way deal.
If it’s a two-way contract, the Knicks would still need to sign another player to get to 14 by Tuesday.
They’ve maintained interest in Landry Shamet, who was on a path to the final roster before dislocating his shoulder in preseason.
The Knicks used their top two picks in the G League draft recently to nab the rights to Ryan and Shamet. Drafting Shamet also allows the Knicks to oversee his rehab and progress.
“Obviously, Landry is going through the rehab process,” Knicks Tom Thibodeau said recently. “We’re excited about Matt, just because of the skill set, the shooting. Feel like you can’t have enough shooting, but we like both guys a lot.”
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The Knicks will have that open two-way spot after signing Hukport, the 58th overall pick from this NBA year’s draft.
He has logged 29 minutes this season – mostly in garbage time – as the third center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Jericho Sims.
Hukporti, a German who wears Isaiah Hartenstein’s No. 55, is an athletic 7-foot rim runner.
