Overview
- The New York Knicks signed Knecht to a two-way deal after the Los Angeles Lakers waived him on October 19, and the team cleared a roster spot by releasing Kevin McCullar Jr.
- Knecht made his Knicks debut on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, producing an emphatic putback dunk and finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes.
- Coach Mike Brown said he initially had Knecht listed for zero minutes but inserted him late in the first half and called him "a scorer," while stressing that Knecht must improve his defense.
- Knecht’s two-way contract lets him split time between the Knicks and their G League team in Westchester with the club signaling he will get regular G League reps rather than sit on the NBA bench.
- Knecht was a 2024 first-round pick whose minutes fell in Los Angeles because of inconsistent shooting and defensive issues, and the Knicks’ move gives him a low-risk path to re-establish his role if he shows defensive growth.