Knicks expected to keep just one of veteran camp invitees

The Knicks invited five established veterans to training camp. They reportedly intend to keep only one.

New York is expected to begin the season with 14 players on standard contracts, league sources told Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. That would leave one roster spot open.

The Knicks signed John Konchar, Bruce Brown, Ochai Agbaji, Drew Eubanks and James Wiseman to Exhibit 9 contracts last week. The deals provide limited protection against training-camp injuries but do not guarantee any player a place on the opening-night roster.

Wiseman may enter the competition with one notable supporter. Coach Mike Brown is said to be a fan of the former No. 2 overall pick after working with him as an assistant with the Warriors.

That does not make Wiseman the automatic choice. New York needs frontcourt insurance behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, which also gives Eubanks a logical path. Konchar, Brown and Agbaji offer different forms of perimeter depth.

The Knicks also had interest in Gabe Vincent, according to Stein and Fischer, but the veteran guard is waiting for an opportunity with a clearer route to playing time.

Carrying 14 players would reduce New York’s immediate payroll and maintain flexibility for an in-season addition. It also turns camp into an actual competition.

Five veterans have been invited. If the Knicks stick to the current plan, four will be looking for work again before opening night.