Knicks Forward Reveals Training Camp Expectations

The New York Knicks have a player looking to prove himself for training camp.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 23, 2024

Jan 15, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles while defended by Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke (3) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

New York Knicks forward Chuma Okeke is on an Exhibit 10 deal, meaning he doesn't have any guarantees on his contract beyond training camp.

That being said, Okeke could grab the team's final spot on the 15-man roster. The Knicks currently have 14 players on guaranteed deals, meaning one non-guaranteed player could earn a spot on the team.

Okeke has been working hard throughout the offseason and he shared how he is feeling in a recent interview with Jefe Island during one of his workouts.

“I just want my body to feel good,” Okeke said. “Just come to camp and this season just feeling good, feeling confident in my body. I'm just feeling confident mentally because I know I could do it, I know I could shoot the ball, I know how to play defense … I know I could do all the stuff that got me here in the first place but I just got to get right.”

Okeke, 26, was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, the only team he has played for so far in his career. While Okeke came to Orlando as a top prospect, his role was reduced slightly after each season with the Magic, which ultimately led to the decision to not renew his contract.

Okeke made 47 appearances for the Magic last season, mostly in garbage time, averaging 2.3 points per game for Orlando.

Okeke is a 3-and-D player with good size to defend multiple positions in the NBA. At 6-6, he represents the ideal wing and his defense is where he makes his money.

That's exactly the type of player Thibodeau should want for his final roster spot, but Okeke is going to have to earn it against veterans Landry Shamet and Marcus Morris.

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Published Sep 23, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.