The torn pectoral muscle will move to the side Drew Eubanks for an “extended period of time” and exclude him from the race for Nix‘ third center, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who reports (via Twitter) that New York intends to give up the big man.
Eubanks, 29, is an eight-year NBA veteran who has played in 426 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 played in 42 games (11 starts) for Sacramento last season, averaging 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 13.1 shooting. 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 appeared in three preseason contests with 13 points and three rebounds in 28 minutes.
Because Eubanks was on Appendix 9 of the contractwho protects teams in the event of a training camp or preseason injury, the Knicks will not be obligated to pay him until he is healthy. New York would simply be on the hook for a one-time payment of $15K if the big man is waived, which would be applied to the team’s cap.
While it’s still possible that the Knicks make another addition through free agency or trade, or that the team decides to enter the season without a third center on its regular roster, the battle for the 14th spot on the regular season roster appears to come down to Wiseman vs. Bradley. Even before Eubanks’ injury, they were speculation that Wiseman is the favorite for this opening – Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Link to Twitter) confirms this this morning.
The Knicks, who have 13 players under guaranteed contracts, can technically keep two camp invitees from a group that includes Bruce Brown and Broken black in addition to the centers, but a full 15-man roster would push their salaries above the second tax bracket that the team owner James Dolan said is prohibited.