The Knicks have a couple of defensive-minded veterans on their radar as they continue to evaluate how to fill out their final roster spots, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, who reports that free agents Drew Eubanks and John Konchar are among the players the team is eyeing.
Eubanks, a 6’10” center who played his college ball at Oregon State, has spent the past eight years in the NBA, suiting up for San Antonio, Portland, Phoenix, Utah, the Clippers and the Kings. He spent the 2025/26 campaign in Sacramento, averaging 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 13.1 minutes per game.
The 29-year-old big man battled injuries last season, only making 42 appearances. He suffered an avulsion fracture in his left thumb in December and later a torn ulnar collateral ligament in that same digit. That second injury, which Eubanks sustained in March, required season-ending surgery.
If Eubanks agrees to a deal with the Knicks, Begley suggests it’ll likely be a non-guaranteed contract. Begley also expects him to have competition to be the team’s third center.
Konchar, meanwhile, became a free agent on Monday. He was waived by Minnesota on Saturday shortly after he was acquired from Utah in the Josh Green trade. The 30-year-old guard/forward spent six-and-a-half years in Memphis prior to being traded to the Jazz in February.
As Begley writes, Konchar has built a reputation as a “strong rebounder/defender/offensive connector who can knock down perimeter shots.” The Chicago native averaged 4.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 SPG and 0.7 BPG in 56 games (19.9 MPG) last season with the Grizzlies and Jazz. Konchar’s career shooting slash line is .469/.349/.727.
New York has 13 players on guaranteed contracts and is likely to open the season with only 14 players on standard deals due to its proximity to the second tax apron.
Begley’s mailbag also covers a question about the Knicks’ extension candidates. He thinks Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are likely to sign new deals before the season begins next month, but doesn’t believe an extension is coming for Miles McBride.
