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Since the New York Knicks converted Allonzo Trier to a standard NBA roster spot, the Knicks have been searching for a player to fill that open spot. The Westchester Knicks have had great success through the midway point of the season, which gave New York some in-house candidate options.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, New York will sign Kadeem Allen to a two-way contract.
What does the signing of Allen to a two-way contract mean for New York and Westchester?
In his rookie season, Allen showcased his defensive ability with the Maine Red Claws where he earned a nod on the 2017-18 G League All-Defensive Team. After appearing in 52 games— 18 with Boston and 34 with Maine— the Celtics waived him. The New York Knicks knew what they were getting when the team brought him into Westchester.
In his time in Westchester, Allen has been a strong defensive guard who is willing to take on tough defensive assignments. He’ll use his defense to help spark the team’s offense whether he’s forcing turnovers or containing an opposing player driving to the basket. In Westchester’s game against Wisconsin, Billy Garrett forced a turnover then Allen pushed it and found Garrett for the layup. With a 6’9” wingspan, Allen uses that to his advantage on the defensive end.
The second-year guard has been the main facilitator on the team and continues to find his teammates in good situations to score. Allen is a solid penetrating guard who can finish at the rim strong and isn’t afraid of contact. While the Westchester guard isn’t a strong perimeter shooter— shot 30 percent last season and 37.8 percent this season— he has taken a step forward with that in the recent stretch of games and is shooting an impressive 53.8 percent in the past 10 games.
Since Allen is signing his two-way deal at the midway point of the NBA season, the contract will be prorated and he is able to spend up to 22 days with the big club. The 22 days don’t include travel and non-practice days. Under the two-way deal, Allen will split time with New York and Westchester.
Along with that, the Arizona product can spend time with New York after Westchester’s season comes to an end and those days won’t count towards the two-way deal. New York will be able to transfer the Arizona product to the big team at any point during the remainder of the 2018-19 season.