Knicks sign 6-foot-5 ex-Cavaliers guard to potentially help Jalen Brunson image
The New York Knicks have made several underrated roster moves ahead of the upcoming training camp.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, one of those moves includes signing a 6-foot-5 ex-Cleveland Cavaliers guard to potentially assist Jalen Brunson during the 2026-27 campaign.
“The New York Knicks have signed Ochai Agbaji to an Exhibit 9 deal,” Scotto wrote on X/Twitter Wednesday. “Agbaji has averaged 7.2 points in four NBA seasons with the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Nets.”
After capturing an NCAA title with Kansas as a senior, Agbaji entered the 2022 NBA Draft as a surefire first-round pick. The Cavaliers selected the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native with the No. 14 overall pick, but traded him to the Utah Jazz before his rookie season began.
After spending 1.5 years with the Jazz, Agbaji, along with Kelly Olynyk, was traded to the Raptors for Kira Lewis Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and a 2024 first-round pick. There’s no question that the 2024-25 campaign has been Agbaji’s best in the big leagues thus far, as his promising three-and-D potential was on full display.
The 26-year-old averaged 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game, shooting 49.8% from the field and 39.9% from beyond the arc in 64 contests.
While Agbaji’s three-point shooting took a significant hit with the Brooklyn Nets this past season (26.6%), the Knicks are clearly comfortable giving him a chance to compete for an opening-night roster spot with their surging organization.
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