The agreement was confirmed on Friday by the player's representatives at Excel Sports Management, who spoke with Shams Charania regarding the deal. While several other franchises, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves, reportedly expressed interest in the forward, he ultimately chose to join the Knicks’ organization.
A Fresh Start for the 2024 First-Round Pick
Selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft following a productive collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, Knecht enters this new chapter aiming to recapture the form he displayed during his debut season. His rookie campaign featured a notable nine-game stretch in November 2024, where he demonstrated significant offensive potential by averaging 18.9 points while shooting 55.4% from the field and 52.2% from beyond the arc, alongside 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Across his 78 appearances as a rookie, Knecht maintained averages of 9.1 points on 46.1% shooting, including a 37.6% success rate from three-point range, while logging 19.2 minutes per contest. His second season saw a reduction in his role, with his playing time decreasing to 10.2 minutes across 54 games. During that period, he recorded averages of 4.2 points on 45.5% shooting and 1.4 rebounds.
To finalize the roster addition, the Knicks are required to waive one of their current two-way players. The team’s current two-way slots are occupied by guard Jaden Akins and forwards Kevin McCullar Jr. and Tyler Nickel. Knecht will now look to integrate into the New York system and leverage his perimeter shooting ability to secure a consistent spot in the rotation.
