The Knicks will add veteran forward Ike Diogu to their training camp roster, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday (Twitter link). Diogu will occupy one of the three remaining open spots on New York's offseason roster.
Diogu, 30, was one of several free agents who worked out for the Knicks last week in the hopes of landing a camp invitation. New York is also expected to bring another one of the participants in that audition, Josh Powell, to camp, as we heard over the weekend.
Diogu was drafted ninth overall in 2005 by the Warriors and had a solid rookie season, including 7.0 PPG and a 15.8 PER. However, early in his second NBA season, he was sent to Indiana in an eight-player swap that landed Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson in Golden State. Diogu was traded twice more in the next two years, and never had another season as productive as his rookie year. He last appeared in two games for the Spurs during the 2011/12 campaign.
With Diogu on board, the Knicks will have six players on partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed deals, to go along with their 12 guaranteed contracts. C.J. Leslie, who has a $200K guarantee, figures to be a lock for a regular-season roster spot, while Diogu, Powell, Chris Smith, Toure Murry, and Jeremy Tyler will compete for the last two openings.
Oh my God! I’m seriously having an ayneurism right now!
Note to Knicks: WE DON’T NEED ANOTHR GOD FORSAKEN FORWARD!!! WE NEED A BIG TO BACK TYSON CHANDLER UP!!!!! WE CAN’T NECESSARILY COUNT ON AMARE OR BARGNANI TO HOLD DOWN THE 5 IN CHANDLER’S ABSENCE!!
We got killed last year because of our lack of depth upfront. Tyson was all beat up by postseason!!!!
We need another BIG. Stop inviting more guards and forwards! We’re over populated in those positions at this point!!!!!
Sign Earl Baron!
or drew gooden?
I’m not saying I don’t agree with you, but this league is quickly become a smaller league and it’s possible the Knicks are noticing that. You’ve seen it the past two seasons with Miami winning with Joel Anthony and Birdman at that spot – it’s possible to win with not much there. Most of the “centers” nowadays aren’t prototypical centers that we saw during the 90s and earlier; they tend to be finesse or offensive guys rather than defensive blockades. They have Chandler, Stat, Bargs, and KMart at the 4-5 and Melo at the 4 in a jam. I wouldn’t worry too much, not many teams have that many capable starters at those spots.
Diogu and Jeremy Tyler will get the last two spots. Diogu has the talent and Woody will bring it out of him
We need a veteran to work with our bigs like Tim Duncan has worked with Hilbert. He has made him into a solid center. Plus we need Earl Barron. He rebounds and knows his roll
I agree R. Ernie Silva & Supachuck are right what does the man have to do he gave up his family vacation to do a workout for the knicks we need a backup center we need barron pull the damn trigger already!!!