Knicks training camp roster now up to 18 after signing Dwayne Bacon, Aamir Simms

By 
·August 19, 2021

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 17: Dwayne Bacon #8 of the Orlando Magic plays against the Charlotte Hornets at Amway Center on December 17, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks have officially added Dwayne Bacon and Aamir Simms on Thursday.

According to ESPN’s NBA front office insider Bobby Marks, Bacon’s deal is non-guaranteed while Simms is on an Exhibit 10 or training camp contract. Ian Begley of SNY first reported the signings.

Bacon, who played with Evan Fournier in Orlando and Kemba Walker in Charlotte, is coming off a career season with the Magic. He appeared in all 72 games, including 50 starts. He averaged 10.9 points and 3.1 rebounds with 1.3 assists in 25.7 minutes, all career highs.

Simms, who went undrafted last July, was on the Knicks’ Summer League team. The former Clemson forward averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11 minutes in Las Vegas.

Simms is a candidate to take the Knicks’ remaining two-way spot. Jericho Sims, the 58th pick, is the other Knicks’ two-way player for next season. Two-way player contracts do not count against the salary cap.

For the 2021-22 season, two-way players will be paid $462,500 or equivalent to 50% of the minimum salary applicable to those with zero years of service ($925,000 per Spotrac). Two-way players will also be eligible to be on a team’s active roster for a maximum of 50 games during the regular season.

Knicks players on guaranteed deals:

PG Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, Miles McBride

SG Evan Fournier, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes

SF RJ Barrett, Alec Burks, Kevin Knox

PF Julius Randle, Obi Toppin

C Mitchell Robinson, Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson

The Knicks currently have 14 guaranteed deals and two non-guaranteed players in Bacon and Argentine guard Luca Vildoza. Bacon and Vildoza will likely fight for the last guaranteed spot in the roster. The Knicks have until the opening night of the season to guarantee Vildoza’s salary.

Vildoza is on a short vacation in Vitoria, Spain, but he is expected to rejoin the Knicks for the training camp and preseason games.

NBA teams are allowed to bring 20 players to the training camp. But the Knicks will need to cut the roster down to a maximum of 15 active players and two two-way players.

The NBA training camp begins on Sept. 28.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderamo

 

Exit mobile version