The clues are in as Knicks cuts could come as soon as Friday, when they look to get to down to a 15-man roster.
The Knicks had 18 players at training camp — not including the recent deals of Cleanthony Early and Damien Ingles, both of whom were signed to gain their D-League rights so they can play for the Westchester Knicks.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek indicated the Knicks could have enough reserve bigs after starters Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis. He named Kyle O’Quinn, Willy Hernangomez and Marshall Plumlee, saying that group could be sufficient.
That leaves big men Lou Amundson, Maurice Ndour and guard J.P. Tokoto potentially as the three cuts to get down to 15.
Amundson and Ndour have guaranteed pacts. The NBA would pay part of Amundson’s $1.3 million veteran’s minimum as part of CBA rules. Rookie 7-foot center Plumlee has turned into a bigger, stronger, younger version of Amundson.
Meanwhile, rookie combo guard Ron Baker, who has a partially guaranteed deal, helped his cause with a 12-point outing Wednesday in Boston, but struggled more in Brooklyn (2-for-5). Baker would fill the depth role left by injured point guard Chasson Randle.
The Knicks want to keep the injured Randle, though he’s out a month with a broken orbital bone. “Guys have shown flashes on what we could use and we have a tough decision to make,” Hornacek said.
The Knicks coach added that “versatility,” the ability to play more than one position, is important.