Draft-and-stash center James Nnaji has informed Spanish club Barcelona that he is leaving Europe as he focuses on trying to sign his first NBA contract with the Knicks, confirms Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. Nnaji’s decision was first reported by Marc del Rio of Sport.es.
The Knicks acquired the rights to Nnaji, the 31st pick of the 2023 draft, in the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. The Nigerian center has spent the past four seasons in Europe, playing a fairly limited role for Barça from 2021-24 before spending the 2024/25 campaign on loan with Merkezefendi (Turkey) and Girona (Spain).
Nnaji, who turns 21 years old in August, is already in New York and has been working out for the Knicks, his agent Gerard Raventos told The Post. Nnaji is hoping to impress during Summer League action next month with an eye on making the 2025/26 roster.
“Hopefully after [the Summer League], we can reach an agreement,” Raventos said. “That’s the plan, from both sides. It’s 50-50, it depends how he does. He’s coming in great shape. … Everything will be based on his performances in the Summer League.”
Nnaji has a highly impressive physical profile, Schwartz notes, measuring 7’0″ with a 7’7″ wingspan and weighing 251 lbs. a couple of years ago at the combine. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14 appearances while on loan to Girona this season (16.2 minutes per contest).
With Precious Achiuwa possibly heading elsewhere in free agency, Nnaji could be an inexpensive addition to New York’s frontcourt. As Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron tweets, signing Nnaji to a minimum-salary contract would give the Knicks more financial wiggle room to use the taxpayer mid-level exception in ’25/26. He would also be eligible for a two-way deal.
I watched him a bit in Girona, he did not really change or improve his game compared to his younger days in Barcelona.
He’s got an impressive frame, and was drafted for it. But despite that physique he was not able to dominate or anything like that.
He falls into the category ‘reasonably coordinated big fella who’s not very good at basketball’.
But he looks impressive; there’s no way I’d be able to knock him out with a good size picket even if the blow landed right onto his head.
He’s 20 yrs old. You don’t even get your man bod till over 24. Improving is what being an athlete is all about. So we gotta hold hope. Wish Thibs was here. He is good with bigs. Its like having a pick this year for Knicks. Glad he will play in SL. We can get a good look. And help him where he needs it going forward. First good news out of Knicks camp.
Hey, I hope he does well. I watch Spanish basketball sometimes, and just from a couple of games I saw him in I didn’t get an impression he gained a skill that changed his game or anything like that. But it’s not a proper scouting report, not at all.
He has that spectacular athleticism that one just can’t help but be excited to watch. So I hope to see him on the court next season.
He’s going to be 21, so if he’s going to be a playable NBA C, he needs to start moving toward that level. Going back to Europe can’t be an option. He doesn’t need to make the NYK standard roster, and its hard to envision him doing that. But he has to be worthy of a 2 way deal, and be willing to take it. Hukporti did that last year, and he appeared much further along coming in.
Something to look forward to in SL. Knicks only have a late second rd pick this year. Unless Dolan buys a pock….. you listening YO.
Can’t. NYK already spent their $$ cash limit for the year in trades.
We need to pinch pennies at the end of the roster. One underappreciated quirk in the new CBA is that the lowest cap hit possible for a player on the standard roster, by a matter of $800k, is a rookie minimum which can only be signed by a second round pick. An undrafted player can sign for that amount but the cap hit, weirdly, is higher. This guy is probably closer to contributing than whoever we’ll pick at 50. Hope he shows out in Vegas!