In the ‘city that never sleeps’ they don’t want exactly that, to fall asleep. The New York Knicks have savored, as deserved, a coveted championship ring, but now, fully into the late-summer stretch to prepare for the 2026-27 season, what they want most is to leave no cracks in their roster, and they have set their sights on two veteran free agents.
According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, the objective of the team led by Mike Brown is to bolster the defensive front, something they have targeted in free agents Drew Eubanks and John Konchar, who are on the short list they are considering.
Starting with Eubanks, he is a center who has spent his last eight years in the NBA playing for San Antonio, Portland, Phoenix, Utah, the Clippers and the Kings. It was with the Sacramento Kings that he spent last season, posting averages of 5 points, 3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 13.1 minutes per night. He isn’t a finesse player, but to effort, no one outworks him.
If the Knicks decide to pull the trigger, everything points to them signing him to a non-guaranteed contract that would allow them to pivot during the preseason if they deem it appropriate. His role would be that of the team’s third center.
John Konchar, another option for the Knicks
As for Konchar, he has become a free agent after Minnesota Timberwolves released him last Saturday. At 30 years old he has only known two franchises, Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz, having spent up to six seasons and a half with the Grizzlies.
While he doesn’t usually feature prominently in hightights, Konchar does bring rebounding, defense and outside shooting, three qualities quite interesting to complete a roster. Last season he finished with averages of 4.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks in 19.9 minutes per night. The Knicks, with 13 guaranteed contracts at the moment, have little room to maneuver due to their proximity to the second apron. By the way, the Miami Heat are also pursuing the shooting guard.
