According to CBS Sports, the Knicks have agreed to sign guard John Jenkins to a training camp deal. This comes on the heels of the team parting ways with guard Tyrius Walker earlier in the day on Tuesday (October 2) which opened up a roster spot. The team is allowed to carry 20 players during the preseason, but the roster must be at no more than 15 once the regular season begins. The Knicks had just agreed to a deal with Walker.
The 27-year-old Jenkins (listed at 6-4, 215 pounds) has played in 145 games in his NBA career over parts of five seasons since being drafted in the first round (23rd overall) by the Atlanta Hawks in 2012.
He last suited up in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns, where he made just four appearances during the 2016-17 season.
Ridiculous Upside is also reporting that the Knicks have signed Morgan State forward Phillip Carr to a deal that could possibly send him straight to the G-League. He averaged 13.7 points and 9.3 rebounds last season for Morgan State but went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft. Luka Doncic was traded during that draft.
Played in the Summer League for Portland
Jenkins participated in the Summer League for the Portland Trail Blazers this past July, and did a solid job scoring the ball for the team. In seven games, he averaged 12 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21.6 minutes per outing.
He shot 70 percent from the field.
Spent last season in Spain
Not able to latch on to an NBA roster, Jenkins played last season for San Pablo Burgos in the Liga ACB league in Spain. In 22 outings (22.9 minutes per game), he was able to average 12.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Jenkins ended the season with shooting numbers of 48 percent from the field, 34.9 percent on three-point attempts, and an impressive 95.7 percent from the free throw line.
Jenkins’ NBA career
In Jenkins’ 145 games at the NBA level, he has career averages of 5.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 12.8 minutes per contest. He owns career shooting numbers of 44.8 percent from the field, 36.4 percent on three-point tries, and 84.9 percent from the charity stripe.
He had his most productive year during his rookie season of 2012-13 with Atlanta.
During that season, Jenkins received his most playing time (14.8 minutes per game) and recorded his highest scoring average of 6.1 points. While he played in just four NBA games during the 2016-17 season, he also appeared in 16 for the Westchester Knicks of the G-League that year. He showed the ability to score the ball at will at times there that season as he averaged 20.9 points.