The Knicks have placed Luca Vildoza on waivers, the team announced (via Twitter).
New York signed the Argentinian guard to a four-year deal in May, but there was no guaranteed money and he never played for the team. Vildoza’s contract for the upcoming season would have been guaranteed for $3.32MM if he was still on the roster at 11:59pm on October 21, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN.
Vildoza reported to camp with “complicated ankle issues” and hasn’t been able to practice, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post (Twitter link). He had a sprained ankle, along with fluid in the back of his foot that was discovered after Summer League (Twitter link).
“Availability is a big part of it and we just feel like the guys who are here, they are the guys fighting it out for that last spot,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “But he’s a good player, and we wish him well.” (Twitter link from Fred Katz of The Athletic)
Vildoza, 26, played for Argentina in the Olympics before joining the Knicks in Las Vegas. He made brief appearances in two Summer League games, but averaged just 6.4 minutes and didn’t score any points. In addition to his injury issues, Vildoza’s future in New York appeared uncertain after the team added point guards Miles McBride and Rokas Jokubaitis in the draft.
The move leaves the Knicks with 19 players on their training camp roster, 14 of whom have guaranteed contracts. The team also has a two-way slot open, and Thibodeau has indicated that final decisions won’t be made until after the preseason.
Yup ….. it was coming. Gotta play to stay. With McBride looking good. And Quickley looking even better than last yr. I knew it was coming.
They just gave that man free money for doing nothing…
What money?
He got signed to a four year deal last season but never played a game. He got like 3 million for last season. Free money.
i dont think he got the full 3.5M contract last season
if a player is signed midway to the season, the salary will be pro-rated, and Vildoza was signed on early May while the season ended in mid-May
Still free money. Probably close to a million for doing nothing. Not bad
Surely Vildoza will get a shot somewhere else for his scrapbook.
He earned the $$ he got. They paid him 3.5 mm (from last year’s payroll/cap) for a NG 3 year deal, which was effectively 3 successive one year options. From the NYK perspective, they got the benefit of those option years, including the option of declining them. It was always the intent that they’d decide on keeping him after looking at him in the Olympics (abbreviated), the summer league (couldn’t, injury) and in training camp (can’t, injury).
Vildoza just dodged a bullet there, good for my man!
I really believed they had him. Cause they were going to trade Quickley. Really thought Knicks would make a draft day trade. But after Kemba falling to them. Then missing out on two players they wanted. Duarte and Murphy. I think they went another direction. Grimes and McBride. So now Luca was expendable. The way Grimes and McBride look. I still think Quickley and Toppin could be moved. Luca will be fine. He can play in Europe and be back soon.
Anyone watch the Laker vs Nets. David Duke, can’t believe he went undrafted. Great pickup for Nets. Guy plays both ways has excellent size. Put up nice stat line today. 31 mins, 13 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl. Seems cause he was a Junior. Teams didn’t see upside. Unreal how you can think a 21 yr old can’t get better. I don’t think you find your true gm till 24-25. As long as you are always working.