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Shams Charania, ESPNNov 4, 2024, 09:53 AM ET
The New York Knicks and two-way center Ariel Hukporti have agreed on a standard two-year contract, sources told ESPN.
The new deal for Hukporti includes a team option in 2025-26, sources said. New York currently has 13 standard contracts on its roster and is required by NBA rules to sign one player by Tuesday to reach 14.
Knicks officials and Hukporti’s agents at Wasserman, Tadas Bulotas and Thad Foucher finalized terms on the new deal in recent days.
Hukporti, an athletic 7-footer, has served as a viable big man in the Knicks’ undermanned frontcourt, totalling nearly 29 minutes with seven rebounds and four blocks in four games this season.
Hukporti and Jericho Sims are the backup centers for All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns in the absence of Mitchell Robinson (ankle).
Robinson is aiming for a return to action in January, sources said.
The Knicks are also signing three-year forward Matt Ryan to a deal this week, sources said. Ryan, a 6-foot-7 wing shooter, shot 45.1 percent from three-point range for the New Orleans Pelicans last season. A career 41.1 percent from three, Ryan has played for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Pelicans.
