James Wiseman Needed Just Nine Minutes to Give the Knicks a Roster Decision to Think About

James Wiseman flashed rebounding and rim-running potential in nine preseason minutes, strengthening his case for the Knicks’ third-center role.

James Wiseman does not need to transform his entire game to become useful to the New York Knicks. His first preseason appearance offered a glimpse of how a straightforward assignment could help him compete for a place on the roster.

In just nine minutes on Monday night, the 25-year-old center collected offensive rebounds, attacked the rim and turned his size into opportunities around the basket. For a player pursuing the third-center role, those contributions provided an encouraging starting point.

The Knicks’ evaluation will extend well beyond one exhibition. Still, Wiseman showed why his physical tools remain worth exploring in a supporting role.

Wiseman Makes His Size Count Around the Basket

At 6-foot-11, Wiseman gives teammates a sizable target near the rim. Against Philadelphia, he used that reach to finish an alley-oop from Tyler Kolek and drew a shooting foul on another dunk attempt.

Those sequences illustrated the value of a center who moves toward the basket with purpose. A well-timed cut or roll can give a ball handler a direct passing option and force defenders to react.

His work on the glass was equally relevant. Wiseman secured multiple offensive rebounds and kept the ball high after collecting boards at both ends. That small technical detail helps protect the possession from smaller defenders reaching in.

He also salvaged a difficult transition sequence after receiving a pass from Kolek while moving well away from the basket. Rather than allowing the play to end in a turnover, Wiseman drew a foul.

These were modest contributions individually, but together they demonstrated how he can help without needing a large share of the offense.

A Limited Role Could Give Wiseman a Clear Path Forward

The case for a James Wiseman Knicks roster spot rests on whether he can deliver dependable minutes within a defined assignment.

With Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond ahead of him in the center rotation, Wiseman would be competing to provide additional depth. That role could place greater emphasis on finishing, rebounding and readiness when an opportunity arises.

His size alone will not settle the decision. Defensive positioning, awareness and consistency will also matter as Mike Brown assesses his options throughout the preseason.

Monday’s performance nevertheless offered a useful foundation. Wiseman found ways to contribute through activity near the basket, giving the Knicks tangible plays to evaluate alongside the areas that still require improvement.

Nine minutes cannot guarantee a roster place. They can, however, strengthen a player’s argument for another look—and Wiseman made productive use of his first opportunity.