Knicks to add Ike Diogu, Josh Powell
Hawks forward Josh Powell puts his shoe back on during the second half against the Knicks. (Feb. 16, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
The Knicks will add veteran forwards Ike Diogu and Josh Powell to their training camp roster, league sources said.
Both were part of the group of free agents who had a two-day workout with the Knicks last week. Neither will get any guaranteed money, but will sign make-good contracts.
The Knicks have 14 players with at least partial guarantees, and want to add insurance up front.
Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, Kenyon Martin and Jeremy Tyler are the Knicks’ big men.
But Stoudemire hasn’t been healthy the past two seasons. Bargnani has been injury-riddled and he had pneumonia this summer, so he may not be at full strength when camp opens Oct. 1.
Also, the 6-foot-10 Tyler, who the Knicks signed to a partial guarantee, is recovering from surgery on his right foot. Best-case scenario for Tyler is he would be able to practice toward the end of training camp.
Diogu, 30, is 6-8, 250 pounds. He’s undersized, but his wingspan measures at about 7-4. He’s averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 225 NBA games for the Warriors, Pacers, Blazers, Kings, Clippers and Spurs. He last played in the NBA during the 2011-12 season. The past two years he’s played in China and Puerto Rico.
The 30-year-old Powell is 6-9, 240 and has played for the Mavericks, Pacers, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers and Hawks. He hasn’t been in the NBA since the 2010-11 season. Recently, he’s played in China, Puerto Rico and Greece.
When the Knicks add these two it will give them 18 players. They also signed Chris Smith, J.R. Smith’s brother, and Toure’ Murry to make-good deals. The Knicks could add another player or two. One likely would be a center
Media Day is one week from today, with camp tipping off the next day at the Knicks’ training facility.
