A torn pectoral muscle will sideline Drew Eubanks for an “extended period of time” and will take him out of the race for the Knicks’ third center spot, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that New York intends to waive the big man.

Eubanks, 29, is an eight-year NBA veteran who has played in 426 total regular season games for the Spurs, Trail Blazers, Suns, Jazz, Clippers, and Kings since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He made 42 appearances (11 starts) for Sacramento last season, averaging 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per night.

Eubanks was one of three veteran centers vying for a spot on the Knicks’ regular season roster this fall, along with James Wiseman and Tony Bradley. He had appeared in three preseason contests, totaling 13 points and three rebounds in 28 minutes of action.

Because Eubanks was on an Exhibit 9 contract, which protects teams in the event of a training camp or preseason injury, the Knicks won’t be required to pay his salary until he’s healthy — the team will simply be on the hook for a one-time payment of $15K when the big man is waived.

While it remains possible that the Knicks will make another addition via free agency or trade or that the team will opt to enter the season without a third center on its standard roster, it appears the battle for the 14th spot on the regular season roster will come down to Wiseman vs. Bradley. Even before Eubanks’ injury, there had been speculation that Wiseman has emerged as the frontrunner for that opening — Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link) confirms as much this morning.

The Knicks, who have 13 players on guaranteed contracts, could technically retain two camp invitees from a group that includes Bruce Brown and Ochai Agbaji in addition to the centers, but carrying a full 15-man roster would push their salary above the second tax apron, which team owner James Dolan has said is a no-go.