6:16pm: The Knicks have officially announced (via Twitter) the signing of Okeke to an Exhibit 10 deal.
12:04pm: The Knicks plan to sign free agent forward Chuma Okeke, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Okeke, who played a couple of college seasons at Auburn, was the 16th overall pick of the 2019 draft. He has spent the past five years with the Magic, holding career averages of 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 189 regular season games, including 55 starts (20.3 minutes per contest). He posted a .383/.318/.789 shooting line over that span.
Okeke had an unusual start to his professional career, as he didn’t sign his rookie scale contract until 2020, a year after he was drafted, due to a torn ACL. That meant he hit free agency a year later than his 2019 first-round draft classmates as well. He became an unrestricted free agent when Orlando chose not to give him a $7.4MM qualifying offer.
Known primarily for his excellent work on the defensive end, Okeke has unfortunately battled injuries since he turned pro, playing between 27 and 47 games in three of his four active seasons. He was not a rotation regular in 2023/24 for Orlando, averaging a career-low 9.2 minutes per contest.
While the terms of the contract were not disclosed, it seems likely be a one-year, minimum-salary deal, perhaps with a partial guarantee. The Knicks currently have 14 players on standard contracts, so Okeke could be battling for a potential 15th spot in training camp, assuming the team decides to carry a full roster.
They’re potentially going to have a really good defense…his shooting won’t matter as much either, when used in the right lineups, with shooting around
Nice! I added him to my custom Knicks roster last week on NBA 2k24!!!! Am I psychic?
What number am I thinking of?
3
Bro what number are you thinking?
WHO? DWIGHT HOWARD AND J.R. SMITH ARE STILL FREE AGENTS!! THE G-LEAGUE HAS RUINED THE NBA… NOW WE GET NBA 2K MYPLAYER-LOOKING RANDOM’S FILLING ROSTERS NOW AND VETERANS WE KNOW AND LOVE GET THE BOOT AND STAY FREE AGENTS. OMG.
J.R. Swish = Smokes too much of the WEEEEEEEDDD!
Dwight Howard = Sus
JR has been retired for 4 years dude
In all seriousness, don’t forget that Tom Thibodeau has a major role in decision making when it comes to which players he thinks would fit the identity of the team and who he thinks would be a contributor and coachable in his system. Fans can beg and beg for “stars” as well as big name veterans that seem like no-brainers to be added to a team’s depth chart, but it’s just not how this team is operating. They’ve shown over and over that they are very particular about how this team is built.
I am excited for the season!
You’re not wrong about the roster decisions. Totally get why the Knicks give so much leeway to a coach with demonstrably proven championship clout as the lead coach.
When you reach that level, you can let your rings do the talking.
He got rings as assistant to Doc in Boston, but he has proven he can win with ‘his guys’
This is a great trait to have as a coach.
Knicks biggest and only weakness now is effective size. Unless Mitchell plays all season and plays well
No he doesn’t, easiest example is the Bogdanvich trade, he is not a Thibs player.
Bogs is no Fournier. He has physical limitations on D but he plays smart and tough and gives effort – like Brunson. I’m sure Thibs would’ve preferred a more capable defender but as far as offensive specialists go, Bogs is as Thibsy as anyone.
They need Morris as a backup to Randle. Vet leadership with grit & 40% from beyond the arch.
I’d take him but I imagine someone else will offer him real minutes. I don’t see him getting off the bench if everyone’s healthy.
For a sec I thought he was a center.
Non guarantee….. not sticking. Can add him in a trade for his contract. We do t need him
You don’t need him, but he is a really, really good defender at the 4/3
I would say you still need a big, but I think most everyone that would fit maybe just signed, but I’d have to look at it again…there should be options though
I like Okeke but he seems redundant with Bates-Diop. Center is a greater need.
O that’s right…I completely forgot they also got Keita Bates Diop in the Bridges deal…Ya, obviously KBD is a way better shooter, and is still capable defensively at the 4/3
Micah Potter and Omer Yurtseven still available
I guess Jacob Toppin is no longer on the team.
Toppin has a two-way offer on the table. I don’t know why he hasn’t accepted it. He did play in Vegas, so the team still considers him in the fold