The New York Knicks have signed free agent forward Tosan Evbuomwan to their training camp roster, according to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto. The 6-foot-8 wing spent last season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and just under a steal per game, showcasing his two-way versatility.
Per SNY’s Ian Begley, Evbuomwan is expected to be a strong contender for one of New York’s two vacant two-way roster spots. At present, Kevin McCullar Jr. is the only Knick on a two-way deal. Evbuomwan’s contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed agreement, mirroring the deals extended to veteran guards Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet.
Undrafted in 2023, Evbuomwan built his résumé at Princeton University, where he was named First Team All-Ivy League before entering the NBA Draft.
“Tosan has put in an incredible amount of work to reach this stage, and it’s rewarding to see that effort acknowledged,” Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson told NJ Advance Media. “He makes the players around him better and will be a strong fit with the Knicks.”
Knicks Explore Multiple Options for Training Camp
The Knicks are set to add Dennis Smith Jr., who played last season with Real Madrid, per the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. NBA insider Jake Fischer also noted that New York had shown interest in Thomas Bryant, who dropped 11 points off the bench in Indiana’s Game 6 win over the Knicks.
At the moment, New York has just 12 players on standard contracts. According to Ian Begley, the team intends to use the 14th roster slot on rookie Mohamed Diawara, signing him to a minimum rookie deal. The Knicks remain hard-capped at the second apron after using the taxpayer midlevel exception this summer to sign French forward Guerschon Yabusele, leaving about $3.7 million in flexibility.
“The rookie has to be someone the Knicks drafted, so the expectation is that Diawara will fill that spot,” Begley reported.
Teams are permitted up to 21 players for training camp, which opens next week before the Knicks’ preseason matchups against the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 2 and 4.
Backcourt Logjam Fuels Trade Interest in Tyler Kolek
An influx of veteran guards battling for the Knicks’ final roster spots has sparked trade interest in second-year point guard Tyler Kolek, according to ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen. With Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet recently joining the roster, Kolek risks sliding down the depth chart, and at least one NBA team has already shown interest in acquiring the 20-year-old.
“Several league sources expect the Knicks to trade a player for draft assets in order to clear a roster spot,” Pursiainen reported. “With Jalen Brunson, Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride, and the new additions of Jordan Clarkson and Brogdon, New York has plenty of backcourt depth. A move could give Kolek a chance he won’t get with the Knicks.”
Drafted 34th overall in 2024, Kolek averaged 11.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.0 turnovers across five Summer League games while shooting 32.3% from the field and 17.1% from three. Trading his $2.2 million contract for draft capital would not only free up a roster spot but also create the cap space for New York to sign two of the veterans invited to training camp.
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