Knicks Torch Raptors in Thrilling Preseason Finale

In a nail-biting finish, the New York Knicks edged out the Toronto Raptors 122-120 in their preseason finale, but what does it mean for the team's chances this season?

The Knicks' moves this offseason have left me trying to wrap my head around the situation. The two players remaining in battle for the final roster spot are James Wiseman and Bruce Brown.

“Bruce has been through a lot with a lot of different teams at a pretty high level,” — Mike Brown

Knicks Torch Raptors in Thrilling Preseason Finale Roster Shake-Up

• The Knicks waived three players on nonguaranteed contracts ahead of Thursday’s preseason finale: centers Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley, and athletic wing Ochai Agbaji. Eubanks suffered a torn pectoral muscle this week, sealing his fate with the Knicks.
• Wiseman was the front-runner since camp started for the final roster spot, as reported by The Post, and enhanced his standing with an 18-point, 10-rebound effort in Tuesday’s preseason loss to the Raptors. The Knicks, who are thin in the frontcourt with only Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, have prioritized a center for their final roster spot, giving Wiseman the inside track for a roster spot.

The Impact on the Rest of the League

I'm still trying to figure out what this means for the rest of the league. With Bruce Brown and James Wiseman competing for the final roster spot, the Knicks are showing a commitment to building around their young core.

According to sources, Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet are the most logical trade pieces. Both have team options next season with no progress toward extensions. In order to keep both Brown and Wiseman, the Knicks would have to complete a trade by Oct. 19.

The Players Involved: Who's Who and What's Next

I've been thinking a lot about the players who were waived by the Knicks ahead of Thursday's preseason finale. Drew Eubanks suffered a torn pectoral muscle this week, sealing his fate with the Knicks. Centers Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley were cut, along with athletic wing Ochai Agbaji.

It's always tough to see young players get cut loose, especially when they've worked so hard to make it to this point. But for the Knicks, it was a necessary move in order to clear space for their young core and potentially complete a trade by Oct. 19.