Former Orlando Magic player Chuma Okeke agreed to a contract with the New York Knicks on Thursday, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Okeke, who will turn 26 on August 18, was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft out of Auburn.
He spent his first four NBA seasons with Orlando. The Magic made Okeke an unrestricted free agent in June when they declined to tender him a qualifying offer.
In 189 career regular season games (55 starts), he averaged 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 20.3 minutes per game while shooting 38.3% from the floor, 31.8% from three-point range, and 78.9% in the area. dirty line.
The New York Knicks have agreed to terms with Chuma Okeke, league sources said @hoopshype. Okeke averaged 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.3 minutes over four seasons with the Orlando Magic. At 25 years old, the former 16th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft has immense potential. pic.twitter.com/ZWkWNMnc6p
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 1, 2024
In 47 games (eight starts) with Orlando last season, he averaged a career-low 2.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.2 steals, and just 9.2 minutes per game. each one.
Okeke also shot a career low 28% from beyond the arc and 57.1% from the free throw line. His player efficiency rating (6.9) and true shooting percentage (46.5%) were terrible for him.
Chuma Okeke averages career-high with Orlando Magic in 2021-22 season
The 2021-22 season with the Magic was his best NBA campaign, when he averaged career highs of 8.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 70 contests (20 starts).
He finished 17th in steals (97), 20th in defensive box plus/minus (1.5), and sixth in steal percentage (2.7%).
Okeke's playing time may also be limited under New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks made a series of offseason roster additions that improved their record to the best record in the Eastern Conference last season at 50-32.
New Knick Chuma Okeke In Garden January:
15 points
5-7 FG
4-5 three
Defeat the hottest team in the NBApic.twitter.com/APMXzlK31m— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) August 1, 2024
However, Okeke will help provide much-needed depth to New York's roster. The Knicks lost Isaiah Hartenstein and Alec Burks in free agency, and the team traded for Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, and Bojan Bogdanovic.
The two biggest results for the Knicks this offseason are re-signing OG Anunoby and acquiring Mikal Bridges in a solid trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
Both players will complement the core of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart.
If Okeke is signed to a guaranteed NBA contract, the Knicks will have filled all 15 of their guaranteed roster spots for the 2024-25 season. There are still two open two-way areas.
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