The New York Knicks are reportedly planning to sign undrafted rookie Kenny Wooten to a two-way contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
In order to make room for Wooten, the Knicks will waive Ivan Rabb.
Wooten has spent the 2019-20 season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League. After a strong campaign with Westchester, the former Oregon forward had started gaining interest from other teams in the NBA.
Although Wooten plays within the Knicks organization, the rookie was considered to be a free agent and could have been signed at any time since he was on just a G League contract.
Knicks are waiving forward Ivan Rabb and planning to sign forward Kenny Wooten of G League Westchester to a two-way NBA deal, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2020
Wooten is averaging 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 blocks and 1.2 assists in 22 games played in the G League this season. He leads all G League players in total blocks and has established himself as an elite shot-blocker given his size and athleticism. In just two seasons at Oregon, Wooten swatted the third-most shots in program history.
By signing Wooten to a two-way contract, the Knicks can have an opportunity to evaluate his game at the NBA level. The signing also prevents the organization from potentially losing Wooten. Wooten could potentially opt against signing the two-way deal, in hopes of landing a standard deal from another team, but it sounds like he will join the Knicks.
The Knicks are in 14th place in the Eastern Conference at 11-29.
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