Wiseman Impresses, but Eubanks Could Still Win the Knicks’ Roster Battle

Ian Begley favors Drew Eubanks over James Wiseman for the Knicks’ final roster spot, setting up a debate over reliability, health and championship depth.

The Knicks center competition is becoming a debate between potential and predictability. James Wiseman has generated encouraging reactions during training camp, but Knicks reporter Ian Begley believes Drew Eubanks could be the more dependable choice for New York’s final roster spot.

Speaking on The Putback, Begley favored Eubanks despite Wiseman’s promising performance in Monday’s 120-97 preseason loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. His assessment centers on the demands facing a defending champion: New York needs depth it can trust when circumstances force a change.

That leaves the Knicks with a difficult evaluation. How much weight should they give Wiseman’s encouraging start, and how much should established experience influence the decision?

Why Begley Gives Eubanks the Edge

Begley described Eubanks as the safer option, emphasizing the importance of dependability for a team pursuing another championship.

A third center may begin the season outside the regular rotation, yet injuries, foul trouble or specific matchups can quickly make that player important. The Knicks must consider who would be best prepared to handle those minutes.

Eubanks’ experience as an NBA reserve supports Begley’s argument. Familiarity with a supporting role can matter when opportunities are irregular and a player must contribute without an extended adjustment period.

Begley’s preference is an assessment of the competition, rather than a report that the Knicks have made their decision. His comments frame the choice around how much uncertainty New York is willing to accept in that position.

Wiseman Is Giving New York Reasons to Keep Watching

Wiseman has strengthened his case through his work in camp and his preseason debut. Mike Brown has praised the 25-year-old, while Begley acknowledged the favorable impressions made on people who watched him practice.

That matters for a player still trying to establish a dependable place in an NBA rotation. His draft position once reflected considerable expectations, but the Knicks’ evaluation will depend on what he can contribute now.

The preseason gives Wiseman further opportunities to demonstrate consistency. Coaches can assess how he responds to assignments, connects with different teammates and maintains his effectiveness across multiple appearances.

Continued progress would make the decision harder, particularly if he shows that his physical tools can translate into reliable execution within Brown’s system.

Health and Availability Remain Part of the Discussion

Begley identified Wiseman’s injury history as a central concern. Talent has remained evident, while interruptions have complicated his efforts to build a sustained role.

That history belongs in the evaluation, but it does not establish that Wiseman is currently unavailable or unable to contribute. The Knicks will need to assess his present condition alongside his performances and their roster needs.

The practical question is how confidently the organization can plan around each candidate. A player who offers greater potential may deserve the opportunity if the staff believes he can handle the required responsibilities consistently.

Conversely, New York may prioritize a more established reserve if it expects the role to demand immediate readiness with limited minutes.

The Knicks Can Revisit Their Depth Later

Begley also suggested that New York could reassess its center options closer to the February trade deadline. That provides another consideration: the final camp decision does not have to settle every frontcourt question for the entire season.

For now, Eubanks represents Begley’s preferred route toward dependability, while Wiseman’s performances are keeping the competition interesting.

The remaining evaluations will determine whether Wiseman can turn encouragement into enough confidence to secure the spot—or whether the Knicks choose the experience Eubanks brings to their title defense.