NEW YORK — Fresh off winning the 2025-26 NBA Championship, New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown and the front office face an intriguing roster decision. New York currently holds 13 guaranteed contracts, leaving a single opening on the standard 15-man roster due to second apron constraints. There are 18 players currently on the Knicks training camp roster, which leaves 3 spots up for grabs. This mirrors the battle the knicks had during training camp last season between veteran guards Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon, and Garrison Mathews, who were all brought in on non-guaranteed deals. Shamet would go on to become a key contributor to New York’s first championship in 53 years.
While multiple veterans accepted camp invites, these established players are all on non-guaranteed deals are competing for one opening-night NBA contract. Understanding how these Knicks Exhibit 9 contracts operate is necessary. Exhibit 9 deals offer protection against training camp injury costs while giving management maximum flexibility to convert or waive players before Opening Night. Here is the definitive ranking of the five veterans competing for the final spot on the Knicks training camp roster.
1. John Konchar (The Clear Front-Runner)
Despite interest across the league, John Konchar chose New York on an Exhibit deal, signaling strong mutual interest in securing the 14th standard contract. As reported by The Stein Line, “John Konchar is one of the top free agents available and has drawn interest, league sources say, from Miami, New York, Orlando and Toronto.”
Spurning multiple suitors to join the champions makes Konchar the early favorite. His elite rebounding for a guard, low-turnover connective passing, and high-IQ defensive awareness fit seamlessly into Brown’s system.
2025-26 Stats: 4.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 SPG (19.9 MPG)
2. James Wiseman (Frontcourt Size & Vertical Threat)
If front office management decides that getting size overrides another wing, the James Wiseman experiment becomes the top alternative. The former #2 overall pick provides raw athletic tools, rim protection, and verticality that New York lacks behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
Wiseman offers a dynamic roll-threat in pick-and-roll packages. If Mike Brown wants a dedicated interior safety net, Wiseman holds the inside track over other frontcourt invites.
2025-26 Stats: 7.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.9 BPG, 61.3% FG (17.3 MPG)
3. Drew Eubanks (Bruising, drop down Big)
Right behind Wiseman is veteran center Drew Eubanks. While he lacks Wiseman’s top-end athleticism, Eubanks provides a physical presence who embraces dirty-work responsibilities like screen-setting and offensive rebounding.
Eubanks represents a dependable plug-and-play insurance policy. He rarely plays out of structure, making him a coach-friendly option if New York prioritizes mistake-free interior depth.
2025-26 Stats: 5.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.8 BPG, 64.5% FG (15.2 MPG)
4. Bruce Brown (Two-way wing)
Bruce Brown brings championship pedigree and secondary playmaking skills that can anchor second-unit lineups. His ability to push the pace, attack off the catch, and defend multiple positions makes him an intriguing candidate on paper.
However, with New York’s rotation already featuring established secondary ball-handlers, Brown faces an uphill battle to prove his specific skill set outweighs the roster’s need for frontcourt size or Konchar’s connector skills.
2025-26 Stats: 10.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 45.1% FG (25.8 MPG)
5. Ochai Agbaji (Developmental Wing Upside)
At 26 years old, Ochai Agbaji offers upside as an athletic 3-and-D wing. His transition running and point-of-attack ability fit the modern NBA wing profile well.
Despite his physical tools, Agbaji sits at the bottom of the ladder due to inconsistent shooting. On a defending championship squad, Mike Brown will likely favor Konchar’s proven processing speed over Agbaji’s developmental curve. If he can hit above league average, he could be a dark horse for that spot.
2025-26 Stats: 6.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 33.9% 3PT (20.4 MPG)
Knicks Training Camp Roster: Key Takeaways for the Final Spot
This Knicks roster battle will come down to who wants it more as cliché as that sounds. While Wiseman and Eubanks addresses frontcourt depth, John Konchar’s decision to turn down a potentially guaranteed contract elsewhere positions him as the leader to claim the ‘final’ 14th spot on the Knicks training camp roster. The Knicks will likely enter the season with 14 players because James Dolan doesn’t want to the team to be in second apron territory.
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