James Nnaji To Join Knicks For Summer League

[RealGM Wiretap]

Center James Nnaji is leaving Barcelona in hopes of joining the New York Knicks for the upcoming season. Nnaji intends to join the Knicks for Summer League. He hopes that will land him a regular season roster spot for next season.

Nnaji was originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. His rights were traded to the Boston Celtics and then Charlotte Hornets as part of a pair of draft night swaps. Charlotte then traded Nnaji's rights to New York as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.

The 6-foot-11 center spent the 2024-25 season with Girona in Spain and Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket in Turkey on a pair of loan deals from Barcelona. In 22 games across all competitions, Nnaji averaged 6.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 16.3 minutes per game.

Nnaji will turn only 21 years of age in August, making him an intriguing young prospect for New York. The Knicks currently have Towns and Mitchell Robinson under contract at the center position. New York also holds a team option for Ariel Hukporti for the upcoming season.

Via Jared Schwartz/New York Post

[StlHawksFan]

If they start Mitch and Towns then Hukporti isn't enough depth for them. Nnaji has a real chance -- especially if he can shoot.

I'm more interested in seeing if Besson or Rokas finally make it. Knicks could use some cheap depth.

[Luv those Knicks]

If they start Mitch and Towns then Hukporti isn't enough depth for them. Nnaji has a real chance -- especially if he can shoot.

I'm more interested in seeing if Besson or Rokas finally make it. Knicks could use some cheap depth.

The Knicks are in a tricky spot. Cheap contracts are good, but their lack of a good bench hurt them in the playoffs and first year Euro-drafted players and g-leaguers will only take them so far. Nnaji is a physical specimen, but I'm not sure he'll have much to contribute next year. He's not 21 yet and he's had health issues. His youth and lack of experience, and . . . health issues are all concerns if he's going to get a roster spot. Maybe a 2-way contract.

Rokas has already said he won't come over for the summer league and he said "it's on the Knicks" which, I'm sure won't help his chances. I wouldn't be surprised if he's traded, but NY can just keep stashing him in Europe, so maybe not, but I'd be surprised if he's considered for the 25-26 roster unless they get desperate for a PG, which, you never know. It could happen.

I haven't seen anything about Besson, but my guess is he'll come over for Summer League and try out for the roster. They could use another guard and he might have a shot.

The Knicks also signed Marjon Beauchamp and Anton Watson from the g-league last year, but neither looked like a contributor. Their 2024 picks look better. Hukporti, McCullar (coming off an injury), Kolek & Dadiet all showed some potential, but that's a lot of young players. They have only 7 experienced vets under contract (Mitch, KAT, OGA, Mikal, Brunson, Josh Hart & McBride). That's a thin rotation.

They also don't have much cap space to sign players, so it might be fringe players and g-leaguers to fill up a lot of their bench. And they have the 50th pick this year.

Shamet, Payne & Precious are all probably going to test free agency, though if they don't get offers, could be back. Delon Wright could stick around on a vet minimum deal. But they need depth and I'm not sure where it's going to come from.

Nnaji's fun but I don't know how much he'll help for next season. It's going to be an interesting off-season for Leon, finding a new coach, filling out the roster, etc.