Knicks sign Matt Ryan, Alex Len to compete for roster spots
The Knicks are providing opportunities and an Abu Dhabi experience to a mix of familiar veterans and young newcomers.
The team locked in all of its 21 training camp players this week, releasing a large group of signings ahead of media day on Sept. 23.
Both Matt Ryan, 28, who played 19 games for the Knicks last season, and Alex Len, 32, who spent most of the past four seasons with the Kings, agreed to deals with New York, as The Post first reported.
They’re now among several Knicks on nonguaranteed contracts vying for roster spots in camp — albeit with Ryan and Len as the biggest long shots to make the final squad — with the first preseason games set for Abu Dhabi on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 against the Sixers.
As previously reported, the Knicks signed three veterans to nonguaranteed deals — Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews — who are considered the top candidates to make the final cut.
As it stands, the Knicks only hold the cap space to keep one veteran on a guaranteed deal. But people around the league believe they’ll make a trade to free up another slot, allowing Leon Rose to keep Brogdon and Shamet.
3 The Knicks have brought Matt Ryan (37) back on a non-guaranteed deal. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Brogdon, a recent Sixth Man of the Year winner, is expected to be a rotation piece, a source said. Mathews, who formally signed his nonguaranteed deal Tuesday, is also competing for a roster spot, but Shamet and Brogdon hold the inside track.
Mohamed Diawara, the second-round Knicks pick this year, was formally signed and is expected to make the final roster.
The Knicks also locked in their three two-way spots — which are typically reserved for young players who spend most of the season in the G-League — by signing former Nets forward Tosan Evbuomwan, former Lakers forward Trey Jemison III and re-signing 2024 draft pick Kevin McCullar Jr., sources said.
Neither Ryan nor Len can sign two-way contracts because they’ve surpassed the maximum number of NBA seasons for eligibility.
3 The Knicks have also signed veteran center Alex Len. Getty Images
Last season, Ryan, who grew up in Westchester County and attended Iona Prep, joined the Knicks in early November and was briefly part of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
He was waived in March and just re-signed. Now he’ll at least get some preseason work and an Abu Dhabi trip out of it.
Len is familiar to new Knicks coach Mike Brown, who coached the former No. 5 pick for three seasons in Sacramento.
The Knicks also worked out Dennis Smith Jr., but aren’t bringing him into camp.
3 The Knicks also signed ex-Net Tosan Evbuomwan to a camp deal. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Here’s a full list of Knicks training camp players with their contract designation:
OG Anunoby (guaranteed)
Mikal Bridges (guaranteed)
Malcolm Brogdon (nonguaranteed)
Jalen Brunson (guaranteed)
Jordan Clarkson (guaranteed)
Pacôme Dadiet (guaranteed)
Mohamed Diawara (nonguaranteed)
Tosan Evbuomwan (two-way)
Josh Hart (guaranteed)
Ariel Hukporti (guaranteed)
Trey Jemison III (two-way)
Tyler Kolek (guaranteed)
Alex Len (nonguaranteed)
Garrison Mathews (nonguaranteed)
Miles McBride (guaranteed)
Kevin McCullar Jr. (two-way)
Mitchell Robinson (guaranteed)
Matt Ryan (nonguaranteed)
Landry Shamet (nonguaranteed)
Karl-Anthony Towns (guaranteed)
Guerschon Yabusele (guaranteed)
