Knicks notes: Roster candidates, Anunoby, Bridges, Hukporti

The Knicks can add a player via a prorated veteran’s minimum contract while remaining below the hard cap as early as Friday. They have an open roster spot but as a first-apron team, they can’t sign a player who made more than $12.8MM before being bought out.

That leaves them with limited options from the buyout market and The Athletic’s James Edwards III takes a closer look at those eligible candidates, plus other free agents. He identifies T.J. Warren, Chuma Okeke, Chris Duarte, Christian Wood and Josh Richardson as potential targets, with Warren and Okeke topping the list since both are playing for the Westchester Knicks, their NBA G League club.

We have more on the Knicks:

• They made two major trades to acquire forwards OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, then gave Anunoby a huge contract in free agency. However, those investments are not paying off against the league’s elite, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post notes. In a combined seven losses to Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City,  Anunoby is averaging 9.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 35.3 minutes while shooting 39 percent overall and 24 percent on 3-point tries. In those same games, Bridges is averaging 14 points  and two rebounds in 34 minutes while shooting 44 percent overall and 28 percent on 3s.
• Ariel Hukporti made his first start on Wednesday with Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined. Hukporti didn’t finish the game, exiting in the second half with a sprained left knee, according to Peter Botte of the New York Post. Hukporti had eight points and two rebounds in 16 minutes. “I thought Ariel gave us good minutes,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s a young guy who’s learning and getting better.” Hukporti was promoted to a standard contract in early November after originally being signed to a two-way deal.
• ICYMI, they are optimistic that center Mitchell Robinson will make his season debut this weekend. Get the details here.