Ryan Arcidiacono’s debut with the New York Knicks will have to wait.
The NBA voided Arcidiacono’s 10-day contract with the Knicks, according to multiple reports. Fred Katz of The Athletic first reported it late Monday night.
A busy Monday wheeling and dealing for the Knicks ended with Arcidiacono not getting the green light to join the team in time for their home game against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
That’s because the Knicks now only have two players — Julius Randle and Nerlens Noel — left in the health and safety protocols after waiving Wayne Selden and getting back Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims.
Selden was also in the protocols, but the Knicks waived him to make a roster spot for Denzel Valentine, whom they acquired in the three-team trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Valentine was subsequently waived, opening up one more roster spot for the Knicks, which they can use to sign a free agent or get another player via trade.
Under the amended hardship exemption rule, NBA teams can sign a replacement player for each COVID-19 case. The Knicks have already used their allowance on Damyean Dotson and Matt Mooney, who signed their second 10-day contracts last week.
The Knicks, though, can still sign Arcidiacono to a traditional 10-day contract later this week. Beginning Wednesday, January 5, NBA teams can sign a player to as many as two 10-day contracts before committing to him for the rest of the season or waiving him.
If signed by Wednesday, Arcidiacono could make his debut against the Boston Celtics on Thursday at home or Saturday on the road.
Arcidiacono spent the training camp with the Celtics and played for Maine, their G League affiliate, before drawing interest from the Knicks.
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