Hasheem Thabeet scheduled to work out with Knicks

The former No. 2 overall pick has recently worked out with Milwaukee and Denver

9/16/2019, 1:40 AM
undefinedBrad Penner
undefinedBrad Penner

Former No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet is scheduled to participate in workouts with the Knicks in Westchester again this week, agent Jerry Dianis told SNY.

The Knicks may have an open spot for training camp, depending on what happens with Kris Wilkes. Wilkes had a two-way agreement with the Knicks but, according to the New York Post, they may not end up having Wilkes on the roster.

It was first reported on Aug. 28 that Thabeet had been participating in informal 5-on-5 scrimmages alongside Knicks players, SNY learned more about the former No. 2 overall pick's involvement with members of the team going forward.

 

As SNY reported, the Knicks have 19 players under contract. The number falls one short of the 20-person limit for training camp, which means the Knicks have room to add Thabeet to their training camp roster, should they see a fit for him.

After three seasons in which he averaged 10.3 points. 8.4 rebounds and 4.2 blocks over 100 games of his career with the Huskies (2006-09), the Memphis Grizzlies made him the 2009 draft's second overall pick. Thabeet bounced around the NBA throughout the subsequent five years, making stops with the Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Thabeet, 32, last played for the Detroit Pistons in 2014-15. He spent his preseason with the team before eventually ending up on its G-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive, later that year.

Dianis said Thabeet, a former Big East Player of the Year and National Defensive Player of the Year at UConn, is grateful for the opportunity with New York.

Thabeet has worked out for other NBA teams, including twice with the Milwaukee Bucks and once for the Denver Nuggets.

The center has expanded his range, as evidenced by his shooting in a recent workout with the Bucks. Dianis said Thabeet made 57-of-100 threes and 53 out of 100 threes in subsequent workouts with Milwaukee.

The Knicks' specific interest level in signing Thabeet to a training camp deal is unknown.

Other non-roster players participate in the Knicks' informal 5-on-5 scrimmages, but they may have a need for another big. Their current post players include Mitchell Robinson, Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson.

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