The New York Knicks are exploring ways to bolster their frontcourt depth after bringing in a wave of veteran guards to compete for their final roster spot.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks are evaluating external options for their last two two-way contracts, with former Los Angeles Lakers center Trey Jemison III among the players under consideration.
Jemison, 24, split last season between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, South Bay, on a two-way deal. He appeared in 22 NBA games, averaging 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.3 minutes while providing physicality off the bench. In the G League, the 6-foot-11 center posted 10.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.
Getty Trey Jemison III of the Los Angeles Lakers pushes Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers to draw a double technical foul.
Jemison could step into the role vacated by 7-foot-2 Moses Brown, who was dealt by the Westchester Knicks to the Grand Rapids Gold in a trade that brought back Bryson Warren and a 2026 first-round pick. He could join a frontcourt rotation already featuring Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, Ariel Hukporti and Guerschon Yabusele.
Interest in Israeli Big Man
Beyond Jemison, Israeli forward-center Roman Sorkin has also emerged as a candidate. The 29-year-old caught the Knicks’ attention after an impressive EuroBasket 2025 campaign with Israel.
Begley reported that the Knicks, along with the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers, are interested in bringing Sorkin over from Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“After a strong showing in EuroBasket with the Israeli National Team, Maccabi Tel Aviv PF/C Roman Sorkin has garnered interest from POR, NYK and MIA per league sources,” Begley wrote on X.
Sorkin averaged 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 51.4% shooting in EuroBasket play, highlighted by a 31-point outing against Iceland. He also held his own against Giannis Antetokounmpo in Israel’s knockout loss to Greece.
With Maccabi last season, Sorkin contributed 12.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in Euroleague competition. The former Oregon standout went undrafted in 2018 but has since won two Israeli league titles, including MVP honors in both the regular season and finals in 2024.
Guard Competition Tightens
Meanwhile, competition for New York’s lone roster spot intensified this week. The Knicks signed free agent guard Malcolm Brogdon to a one-year deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday. The contract mirrors the non-guaranteed deal agreed to by veteran guard Landry Shamet a day earlier, according to Begley.
“He will obviously get strong consideration for a roster spot. Landry Shamet will also get strong consideration for the spot,” Begley posted on X. “If the Knicks don’t make a trade, they will have to choose between the two vets. Knicks have been looking for a backup vet PG, obviously get one in Brogdon.”
New York also agreed to bring sharpshooter Garrison Mathews to training camp on a deal, the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy reported.
Salary-Cap Constraints
The Knicks continue to operate under strict financial limits. After using their taxpayer midlevel exception this summer to sign French forward Yabusele, they remain hard-capped at the league’s second apron.
The team sits roughly $3.7 million below the threshold, leaving room for a minimum signing and the addition of a draft pick on a rookie contract.ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks noted that the non-guaranteed deals for Brogdon and Shamet will not count against the salary cap unless they are finalized on opening night.
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