The Knicks intend to decline John Jenkins‘ 2019/20 team option at tomorrow’s deadline, reports Marc Berman of The New York Post (via Twitter). If it had been exercised, the option would have paid Jenkins his minimum salary of $1,988,119.
[RELATED: NBA Team Option Decisions For 2019/20]
Jenkins, 28, caught on with the Knicks last season after excelling for the club’s G League affiliate in Westchester. However, he played a limited role in 22 for the NBA club, averaging 5.2 PPG on .388/.357/.833 shooting in 14.5 minutes per contest.
The Knicks will be looking to maximize their cap flexibility this summer, so they’ve been opting against most of their team options and qualifying offers that would eat slightly into their cap room. Billy Garrett‘s team option was also turned down, and Emmanuel Mudiay and Luke Kornet won’t receive qualifying offers.
Despite passing on Jenkins’ option, the Knicks have some interest in bringing back the former Vanderbilt standout, according to Berman. He’s unlikely to receive offers that exceed the minimum, so he could even be an option for New York after the team uses up its cap room.
Poor Mudiay
Mudiay has had every opportunity to have success in this league. He was above Jamal Murray and Gary Harris on the depth chart for years and never produced. He couldn’t take the reins on the starting PG job for the Knicks with no real competition. He’s not good enough for the NBA, he needs to go become a legend in China or something.
Not sure if Ellenson is a team option or NGC-? Hopefully, the latter. But that they were paying attention at all is an improvement.
Team option on Ellenson, so that news should surface today or tomorrow.