New York Knicks 2023-24 Player Preview: Two-Way Players and Others
Autumn in New York ... from a basketball perspective, it's finally inviting.
The New York Knicks returned to action on Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics in a game that officially opened one of the more anticipated seasons in recent metropolitan memory. New York is coming off its most successful NBA season in a decade, winning 47 games and a playoff series for the first time since 2013.
With tip-off looming, All Knicks will analyze and preview what's to come for the major contributors on the blue-and-orange roster. Part XIII, the finale in the 2023-24 player preview series, will look to the end of the Knicks' bench, focusing on 12th men and two-way players.
Arcidiacono (R) Is back in New York after spending the final parts of last season with Portland
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Ryan Arcidiacono
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-3, 195 lbs.
College: Villanova
Experience: 7th season (3rd with Knicks)
Arcidiacono rounds out the Knicks' plentiful Villanova representation, back for his third tour of Manhattan after spending part of the last two seasons with the team. He was previously involved in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers one that, ironically, brought over his fellow former Wildcat Josh Hart. During his time in New York, Arcidiacono has won over the Knicks' coaching staff for his work ethic, and his familiarity with top boss Tom Thibodeau's systems no doubt led the Knicks to reseek his services.
Brown during one of his previous NBA stops in Oklahoma City in 2021
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Charlie Brown Jr. (Two-Way)
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-6, 199 lbs.
College: St. Joseph's
Experience: 4th season (1st with Knicks)
The Knicks dipped into the Philadelphia Big 5 talent pool by rewarding Brown for a strong Summer League stint, being good yet anything but a grief to the tune of over 19 points a game on 55 percent from the field. Brown did not appear in any NBA games last season but returned to Philadelphia, or at the very least their basketball ecosystem, to partake in the Delaware Blue Coats' run to the G League title.
Jeffries seen with Westchester in 2022
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DaQuan Jeffries
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-5, 230 lbs.
College: Tulsa
Experience: 5th season (2nd with Knicks)
Jeffries finally made his Knicks regular season debut during the dreary final stages of Saturday's loss in New Orleans after briefly mopping up playoff games against Cleveland and Miami last spring. He has lingered in the metropolitan roster archives over the past two years, parlaying success in the Summer League into a G League deal with Westchester. Jeffries led all Westchester regulars (min. 12 games played) with 21.2 points a game. His unique size for a backcourt dweller should no doubt intrigue the Knicks in case of medical emergencies.
Toppin (L) seen during a preseason game against the Boston Celtics
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Jacob Toppin (Two-Way)
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-8, 200 lbs.
College: Kentucky
Experience: Rookie
Yes, a Toppin remains in New York, albeit with considerably less hype than his older brother after joining the Knicks as an undrafted free agent. A lanky forward, Toppin has expressed a desire to separate his skill set from his sibling's and apparently was able to impress New York management after an injury kept him out of Summer League play. He made the most of his preseason cameo, scoring four points and swatting two more in the opening win over Boston.
Washington (4) spent last season with the Phoenix Suns
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Duane Washington Jr. (Two-Way)
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-2, 197 lbs.
College: Ohio State
Experience: 3rd season (1st with Knicks)
Washington's roller-coaster NBA career has made its way on and off the New York roster over the past eight months. He originally joined the Knicks on a two-way deal in February after he was released by Phoenix (starting three games for last year's Suns) and helped close out Westchester's season by averaging over 20 points in four appearances. If they're so inclined, the Knicks could take an interest in his three-point prowess, as Washington has hit just under 40 percent of his tries from deep in two years between Indiana and Phoenix.
WIndler (9) was a first round pick of Cleveland's in 2019
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Dylan Windler
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-6, 196 lbs.
College: Belmont
Experience: 3rd season (1st with Knicks)
Windler was the final name added to the Knicks' active roster. He was a first-round selection of Cleveland's in 2019 (26th overall, ahead of names like Jordan Poole, Nic Claxton, and Terance Mann) but a freshman-season-ending leg injury more or less ended his rock 'n roll career before it could ever get started, dooming him to frequent call-ups between the Cavaliers and Charge (the G League affiliate formerly based in Canton). Windler made a name for himself on the college level as a three-point shooter, serving as one of the headliners to Belmont's active 13-year run of 20-plus win seasons.
