The Knicks added some money and back-of-the-roster intrigue, along with swapping some draft rights, in a small three-way deal on Monday.
The Knicks rerouted Denzel Valentine to New York after the fifth-year swingman originally was sent from the Cavaliers to the Lakers in exchange for point guard Rajon Rondo. Los Angeles wanted to clear the roster spot, and the Knicks are picking up cash consideration, which reportedly amount to about $1.1 million.
To clear space for Valentine, the Knicks waived guard Wayne Selden, who had appeared in three games this season. But it is likely Valentine, the former Michigan State star, will not last past next Monday, when his contract would become fully guaranteed. If they let him go, the Knicks would have a roster slot open.
In the trade, the Knicks also sent the draft rights to Louis Labeyrie — a 2014 second-round pick from France – to the Lakers in exchange for the rights to Wang Zhelin and Brad Newley. All of the international players are unlikely to make the jump to the NBA.
Zhelin, a 2016 second-round pick, is playing in the Chinese Basketball Association, while Newley, 36, was a 2007 second-round pick who is playing in Australia’s National Basketball League.
So the Knicks saved some money and either will give Valentine a chance or add another option to their roster. It is possible that slot goes to Ryan Arcidiacono, the former Villanova point guard who officially was welcomed on a 10-day contract Monday, ahead of the Knicks’ game Tuesday against the Pacers at the Garden.
Amid so much uncertainty at point guard – Derrick Rose is out likely until late February following surgery on his right ankle, and Kemba Walker is out indefinitely with a sore left knee after aggravating the surgically repaired knee in warmups Friday – Arcidiacono has a chance to stick.
The 27-year-old was averaging 12.7 points, eight assists and 5.7 rebounds in 32.2 minutes in six games with the Celtics’ G League affiliate this year and had played his first four seasons in Chicago, where he did not overlap with Tom Thibodeau.
Arcidiacono has shot 43.1 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from 3 in 207 NBA games