The New York Knicks and free-agent guard Alexey Shved “haven’t found a deal that makes sense” and it is “unlikely at this point” that Shved will be back with the Knicks, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said on Tuesday.
Shved turned down a minimum offer from the Knicks and at least two other teams earlier in free agency, according to league sources.
The Knicks have the $2.8 million exception to offer free agents, but it is unclear whether they offered Shved the exception. The guess here is that they did not; one Shved friend said last week that the guard would likely accept the $2.8 million exception if it were offered.
Shved played well for New York last season after being acquired in a trade in February.
In 26 games, Shved averaged 14.8 points per game, 3.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
Shved has drawn interest from several teams in Europe, Bartelstein said. While Shved hasn’t completely ruled out a return to the NBA -- or New York -- it is highly unlikely as things stand on Tuesday.
The Knicks have 11 players with guaranteed contracts. Langston Galloway is on a partially guaranteed deal and is expected to be on the opening-night roster. That leaves three open roster spots.
Summer leaguers Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Ricky Ledo are under consideration for the remaining spots. Ledo is signed to a partially guaranteed contract.
The Knicks have also been in touch with free-agent shooter John Jenkins, though a league source with knowledge of the team's thinking said last week that Jenkins wasn't under serious consideration for one of the remaining roster spots.
In addition to a shooter/wing, team president Phil Jackson said the Knicks are looking for a backup center after center Cole Aldrich opted to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Some available big men on the market include Josh Smith, Kendrick Perkins, Justin Hamilton and Greg Stiemsma. The Knicks also have big man Alex Kirk on the summer league roster. Kirk had a strong game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, posting 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
