After being cut by the Brooklyn Nets, Tosan Evbuomwan will make the short journey across the Big Apple to fiercely compete for the final two-way spot on the Knicks’ roster.
The New York Knicks have signalled their intent to win a first NBA championship since 1973 over the last two offseasons. With the emergence of Jalen Brunson as one of the league’s most exciting guards, supplemented by one of the greatest scoring big men of all time in Karl-Anthony Towns, New York fans will expect success sooner rather than later.
However, under the restrictive challenges that the second apron provides to franchises, the Knicks have had to make several shrewd acquisitions rather than one statement signing when it came to bolstering their talented roster this year.
During this free agency period, the Eastern Conference high-flyers have already picked up the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, alongside Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews. Nevertheless, the latest addition to their squad list could be one that the Philadelphia 76ers live to regret if the prolonged pursuit of the dangerous guard Quentin Grimes does not come to fruition.
Tosan Evbuomwan could have been the perfect fit for the Sixers
Evbuomwan impressed off the bench for a Nets team that is currently looking to build a youthful and energetic lineup. The 24-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and two assists per game while featuring for around 23 minutes per game.
General manager Daryl Morey has been tunnel-visioned as he chases Grimes’ signature for the upcoming campaign. The expectation remains that the 76ers will sign him to a long-term deal, one that Bleacher Report predicts could land in the four-year, $67 million range.
If these reports do become reality, then the franchise would be committing a large percentage of its remaining salary cap to a player who may have to settle for a decreased role behind the returning sophomore, Jared McCain, and exciting rookie, V.J. Edgecombe.
In comparison, Evbuomwam would arrive in Philadelphia with a smaller risk attached. A less lucrative contract over a smaller time frame would allow the 76ers to pivot if the upcoming campaign implodes similarly to the 2024/25 season.
Not only this, but the effective role-player could fix more than a financial burden for the Sixers. Evbuomwan has primarily been utilized as a wing throughout his sporadic NBA career, but his exciting playmaking abilities have allowed him to feature as a guard when the rotation has provided him an opportunity to do so, addressing both the lack of depth in the frontcourt and the frustrating Grimes conundrum.
Philadelphia has filled its two-way spots
One issue with the hypothetical — and now impossible — acquisition of the British star would be the inability to offer him a two-year deal due to the vacancies being filled by Hunter Sallis, Jabari Walker, and the potential breakout candidate, Dominick Barlow.
Unless Morey were willing to waive one of these three players, the 76ers would have had to offer Evbuomwan a permanent deal, which in itself provides an element of risk — albeit a less costly one than if Grimes commits his future to the franchise.
Philadelphia’s general manager will be praying that his persistence pays off when it comes to adding the former Dallas guard to the Sixers’ roster; however, his lack of vision for a savvy signing, such as Tosan Evbuomwan, could be his undoing.
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