The Knicks and two-way player Allonzo Trier have had ongoing discussions about a new contract that would promote Trier to the team’s 15-man roster, league sources tell Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. Trier figures to hit his 45-day NBA limit at some point in mid-December, at which point he’d have to spend the rest of the season in the G League if he remains on his two-way deal.
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While the Knicks want to give Trier a roster spot, it could be a little tricky, as Vorkunov explains. New York has the ability to unilaterally convert Trier’s two-way contract into a standard one-year deal, but the team may want to lock up the undrafted rookie for more than just the 2018/19 season, which would require negotiations.
The Knicks’ potential options would include:
- Signing Trier to a two-year, minimum salary contract.
- Signing Trier to a two-year contract using part or all of the bi-annual exception ($3.382MM).
- Signing Trier to a multiyear contract (up to four years) using the mid-level exception.
- Note: The Knicks only have about $656K left on their mid-level exception, which is below Trier’s full-season minimum salary. However, because we’re about a quarter of the way through the season, that mid-level figure actually exceeds Trier’s prorated minimum salary, making it usable.
The two sides could go back and forth on the terms of a possible deal, with the Knicks pushing for more years of control and less guaranteed money, while Trier and his camp perhaps pursue a shorter-term deal, higher salaries, or more guarantees.
The Knicks will be cautious when it comes to adding guaranteed money to their cap for 2019/20, since it could impact their quest for a maximum salary free agent, but as Vorkunov notes, they’ll want to be careful not to overplay their hand — if the two sides can’t come to terms, Trier could be content to play out his rookie season in the G League and seek an offer sheet in restricted free agency next summer. Tyrone Wallace took this approach with the Clippers last season.
Assuming the Knicks do strike a deal with Trier, they’d have to make a corresponding roster move to create an opening on their 15-man roster. As we relayed on Thursday, Ron Baker and Luke Kornet appear to be the players whose roster spots would be most at risk.
Carve out a bit of additional cap space for next year through other means and get Trier signed for part or all of the bi-annual.
Knicks are all in on cap space next summer, with little ability to roll it over, so it’s only the 2019-20 number that matters. With the BAE they do a 2 year that pays more this year, and steps his salary down to his cap hold next year. Either way, they can’t keep investing minutes in the guy if he’s not signed through next season.