James Wiseman emerging as frontrunner for Knicks roster spot

James Wiseman is trying to find his way back. The Knicks may be willing to give him the opportunity.

Wiseman has emerged as the frontrunner for New York’s 14th and likely final standard roster spot, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. The Knicks are said to be prioritizing a center for the opening, though nothing has been decided.

In other words, Wiseman still has to earn it. The former No. 2 overall pick has reportedly looked good in training camp, but the preseason figures to matter. A lot.

Wiseman has appeared in just five games over the past two seasons after tearing his Achilles in October 2024.

Still, coach Mike Brown knows what Wiseman can do. Brown spent two seasons with him as an assistant with the Warriors and certainly sounded like someone who believes there’s still an NBA player in there.

“Fantastic human being, fantastic young man,” Brown said. “Good to see him in the gym. When you’re that long and that athletic, with skill — he has skill — there’s a place for you in this league.”

That’s always been the thing with Wiseman. He’s 7-foot, athletic and talented enough to have once been drafted directly behind Anthony Edwards.

The question has been whether he’ll ever land in the right place long enough to put everything together.

“Sometimes, it takes the right moment, the right team, the right situation, all that stuff, to be able to fit someplace and grow,” Brown said.

Perhaps New York is finally that situation.

Wiseman is competing with Tony Bradley, Drew Eubanks, Bruce Brown and Ochai Agbaji, all of whom are in camp on Exhibit 9 deals.

Barring a trade, the Knicks are expected to carry only 14 players on standard contracts to avoid crossing the second tax apron.

So there’s one job available. At the moment, it sounds like Wiseman’s to lose.