9:00am: The Knicks have indeed waived Martin to make room for Skapintsev, according to team PR (Twitter link).
He hasn’t yet made his NBA debut, but averaged 9.7 points in 16 Showcase Cup games with Westchester. SNY’s Ian Begley tweets the Knicks still hold Martin’s G League rights if he continues to play there.
Shortly after waiving Martin, the Knicks officially announced the Skapintsev signing (Twitter link).
8:39am: The Knicks are signing center Dmytro Skapintsev to a two-way contract, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto (Twitter link).
With New York dealing with injuries to both Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims in the frontcourt, the 7’1″ center who has been playing with the Knicks’ G League team in Westchester will add some depth.
As we relayed on Thursday, the Knicks were said to be eyeing Skapintsev as they scanned the league for center help. As we wrote then, New York is at the roster limit for two-way contract players with Jacob Toppin, Jaylen Martin and Charlie Brown Jr. under contract. It’s worth noting the Knicks shuffled Martin on and off a two-way deal through October and November, and could do so again.
Skapintsev helped the Westchester Knicks win the G League Winter Showcase championship on Friday, as they defeated the Indiana Mad Ants 107-99. Skapintsev had six points, two rebounds and two blocks in the win and averaged 5.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across 13 Showcase Cup games.
Yeah baby.
Skapintsev has played in 15 G League games so far this season and is averaging 5.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest while shooting 51.5% from the field.
He’s got size. Opportunity knocking ….
IMO I thought Martin was a keeper why not release someone else instead.
Per DraftExpress, he “had the longest wingspan with a sensational mark of 7’6.25, the 4th longest mark in EuroCamp history edging Bismack Biyombo. He also measured a terrific 9’4 1/2 standing reach, which is elite for a center as well.” That’s a big boy!
Thibs likes D centers. He’s long, I guess rim protection. He’s more an emergency guy. Sims will be back in 10-12 days.
I like Martin but not on the Knicks. At 19 someone should pick him up. Utah, Portland, Hornets or Detroit should look at him
Another big was needed, and moves like this just magnify the need. Better to do something now than wait until the deadline. By then playoff positioning could be damaging.
You like Drummond. I’d be in on Drummond. Elite rebounder.
He’s great at rebounding and scoring in the paint. Weak on the defensive end. Would be worth trying, but not sure Thibs would commit to him and instead go to Gibson.
Good add. Adding him as a 2 way makes sense, but I think they still have to explore getting another big who can rebound. Even if it’s not a true C. We were eviserated on the boards today, and the worst part is it was too predictable. This guy and Gibson were good adds, but there’s plenty of room to add more size. Best 250 lb’er I can get for a SRP is worth it, even if he never gets into the regular rotation because Sims comes back strong and Gibson picks up where he left off when he was last here. I’ll chance him being redundant.