The New York Knicks are shaking things up.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks intend to recruit former Detroit Piston Shake Milton to help overcome their roster’s numerous ailments. Once he clears waivers, Milton will be able to join the playoff roster, which has already added former Detroiters Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
Milton, 27, is most known for his five seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, whom he joined immediately after his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks as a second-round (54th overall) choice in the 2018 draft out of Southern Methodist. During the Sixers’ recent postseason appearances, Milton was a standout off the bench, averaging 13 points and 3.1 assists in 2020-21 and winning nominations for Sixth Man of the Year.
Milton signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the offseason, but was dealt to Detroit on deadline, along with Monte Morris to Minneapolis. He played four games with the Pistons before being released, falling one rebound shy of a double-double in a 13-point performance against Phoenix on February 14. Milton has not appeared in any of the Pistons’ previous four games, including a Monday night trip to Madison Square Garden.
Once Milton clears waivers and joins the Knicks’ roster as planned, New York will have a depth chart contributor who should help the team recover from a slew of injuries, including the long-term absences of OG Anunoby and Julius Randle. Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo, both backcourt players, have missed at least one game over the last month due to injuries.
New York returns to action on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night (7 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN).
