The Knicks have agreed on a two-way contract with 6-foot-10 Croatian forward Luka Samanic, a former first-round pick of the Spurs.
Samanic was the No. 19 pick of the 2019 draft and was waived last week by San Antonio. Samanic, 21, played in 33 games last season in his rookie year and averaged 3.4 points.
Samanic is reputed to be a new-age forward with potential from 3-point range.
“Luka worked hard and tried his best,’’ Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after Samanic’s release. “These are always difficult decisions. We wish him well. He’s got a lot of skills and hopefully it translated and finds a situation where the skills will be used and hopefully he’ll be able to stay in the league someplace.”
The Knicks’ last venture with a foreign player didn’t work out. Argentine Luca Vildoza, who had been in the Spanish League, was waived at the beginning of camp after the Knicks forked over $3.5 million in guaranteed money.
The Knicks had one two-way pact left and figured to ink forward Aamir Simms of Clemson to that slot. Now Simms, along with swingman Wayne Selden, could be in the mix for the 15th-man role.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t tip his hand on the final roster spot, saying they also were looking at players who become “available.’’ He said the 15th man essentially is “a practice player.’’ The presumed 15th man, Dwyane Bacon, was waived Thursday.