Two of the three Knicks second-round picks from last week will be on the Knicks’ summer-league team that starts play July 11 in Las Vegas: forward Cleanthony Early and swingman Thanasis Antetokounmpo, while another rookie, Derek Fisher, may be the head coach.
Fisher is still discussing whether he will take on summer coaching duties as he tries to form a staff with Kurt Rambis.
As already reported, second-year point guard Shane Larkin, obtained in last week’s trade with the Mavericks, also will be playing. Larkin missed the summer league with Dallas last year after breaking his ankle.
In a surprise, Knicks free-agent center Cole Aldrich also will be on the squad, as will free-agent guard Shannon Brown, who was signed late last season and knows Phil Jackson’s triangle offense. First-Team All-Rookie selection Tim Hardaway Jr. will play as well. Jeremy Tyler, whom the Knicks have a team option on, completes the marquee part of the roster.
Early and Antetokounmpo, a defensive specialist, will make their Knicks debuts after being selected 34th and 51st, respectively. On draft night, the Knicks also traded for the rights to late second-round French project big man Louis Labeyrie, but he won’t participate. He is to play in France next season.