Barcelona and center James Nnaji have opted out of a contract that was scheduled to run through the 2026/27 season, according to an announcement from the Spanish club. The team put out a statement thanking Nnaji for his contributions over the past five seasons and wishing him luck in the future.
Nnaji, who will turn 21 later this month, was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 draft. His draft rights were traded multiple times after he was officially selected by Detroit and are now held by the Knicks, who acquired them from Charlotte in last October’s three-team Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster.
On loan from Barcelona to Spanish club Girona last season, Nnaji averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game across 14 Liga ACB appearances, making 75.7% of his field goal attempts but just 48.6% of his free throws.
While Nnaji’s exit from Barcelona doesn’t necessarily mean his next stop is the NBA, he confirmed earlier this summer that he intended to explore his NBA options, per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops, and he was a member of the Knicks’ Summer League roster last month in Las Vegas, averaging 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game across five outings.
The Knicks’ current roster situation makes Nnaji a viable option. New York has 12 players on standard contracts and doesn’t have enough room below a second-apron hard cap to fit two minimum-salary veteran free agent signings. That means one of the team’s last two roster additions will likely have to be a players whose draft rights the club holds, since that player could get a rookie minimum salary without being affected by the tax variance that would apply to a rookie free agent.
Nnaji and 2025 second-rounder Mohamed Diawara – who also recently parted ways with his team in Europe – are among the players who fit the criteria and who look like candidates for the Knicks’ 14th roster spot. 2024 second-rounder Kevin McCullar Jr. gained a year of NBA experience in 2024/25 and would therefore no longer be eligible for a rookie minimum deal, so he wouldn’t fit below the second-apron hard cap if New York adds a 13th man on a veteran minimum contract.
Nnaji, Diawara, and McCullar are each eligible for a two-way contract. The Knicks have yet to sign any players to a two-way deal, so they have three open slots.
Come on Knicks. Dadiet and Dink don’t fit the team. Portland needs a young SF or two
I like both those guys. Dadiet should be pushing for mins this year.
McCuller and James would be good to have on the team.
Dink and Dadiet are the only young players playing the same position. Both sitting at home while the team is at the club or whatever
Dadiet looks leaner stronger now. Usually a sign he has stepped physically. He does a little bit of everything. Now he needs to find a way to impact the roster.
Dink is considered a guard. All the scouting says he is a SG who can attack the D, big handle for a 6’8” guy. I’m looking forward to seeing him in G-league. At that size he can play 2-3. Never played in college.
Plus the other French guy they just drafted, I would rather have him because they are redundant. The Knicks also own the draft rights to alot of other players
You could play Dink or Dadiet at SF and SG, then sign some other really young guys(PG,PF and C ages from 20-21). Why have two super young guys when the team needs to win now
dink is literally on an E10 lmao why do you care
Nnaji has good size. Still raw though. Knicks have always worked well with their bigs. Mitch, Sims, Hukporti I’m hoping they can help Nnaji. I see in G-league this year.
Don’t see a spot for Nnaji unless it’s a two-way..the way Diawara played in the summer league it a no brainier. Dink and Diawara should be two-way with Mcculler. I agree Dadiet needs minutes. We should be playing him to get him to grow. I like to see the last spot go to Simmons or Brogdon. I know your about to say something about Simmons but he plays defense, rebounds and playmaker. That’s what we need. We don’t t need another scorer. Move Josh Hart to the bench and you got 4 legit guys who can get bucks. Hart will play starter minutes.
You know I am one of last guys here to give up on Ben. I was never sure if his back issue was real or not. He has had real surgery twice. If he would just play D and rebound. He can help. I just don’t trust him.
Knicks young guys can also help in a trade down the road. If they go with Towns. Then it would be smart to find a big D-4 who can watch his back. Imo that is the one thing we are missing. I don’t see Knicks moving Towns. So Mitch and a young guy or two. Can get that defensive 4. That’s why you develop Nnaji. I believe Hukporti is ready to backup C.
Knicks under Rose and Thibs have used the G-league well. And have developed their youngsters better than ever before. Still very early. I still see one more move coming down the road. So you want your guys looking good.
I agree but it doesn’t cost anything to cut him. I just think he cal play make and play d. Line up of
Simmons
Hart
Kat
Bridges or McBride
Clarkson
Starting the 2nd quarter. You will be able to rest one of Bronson or Kat while having scoring and defense on the floor. The problem with 2nd unit is the playmaking. So it would help. I think he is worth a try.