Dillon Jones's New Opportunity Might Help Revive His Knicks Future

One Knicks free agent many have forgotten about is two-way wing Dillon Jones. There was no news on him until the middle of July, when he joined New York's Summer League squad. However, Jones didn't exactly make the most of the opportunity, and it's been radio silence since on a potential return for 2026-27 or a deal with any other team.

But Jones' basketball prospects are suddenly looking up, as he's been selected to play for Team USA in their upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Aug. 27 and Aug. 31.

The August 2026 USA Men's World Cup Qualifying Team!

🇺🇸 https://t.co/hUYst1S7Eb pic.twitter.com/ro2MtBMUKP
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 20, 2026

This is a big opportunity for Jones, considering there's always a ton of eyeballs on the United States in international play, and he has a clear runway to showcase his talents without any premier names on the roster.

It's also something he could use to get back on New York's radar as a two-way or roster candidate, if all goes well.

Dillon Jones could now tempt Knicks into a reunion ahead of training camp

Jones seemed to have a chance to secure his return to the Knicks when they included him on the Summer League roster for Las Vegas. The team's two other two-way players—Trey Jemison III and Kevin McCullar Jr.— from the 2025-26 campaign were not part of Summer League festivities, so it felt like New York was giving Jones a test to see if he was worth bringing back.

Suffice it to say, he didn't pass with flying colors. He posted a mediocre 8.2 ppg over five appearances in Vegas, shooting just 34.1% from the field and an ugly 13.3% from deep on 3.0 attempts per game.

For a player who had an actual rotation role (54 games, 10.2 mpg) with the 2024-25 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder as a rookie, and who was also part of another Finals run with the Knicks, it was entirely disappointing to see Jones fail to clearly be one of the top talents on the floor at Summer League. Considering Jones didn't get re-signed by New York on the heels of that poor performance, it seems as though he's played himself out of the team's plans for 2026-27.

However, Jones could render that water under the bridge if he pops off for Team USA. He has certainly flashed the potential to be a player worth keeping around, with his 2025-26 season in the G League (15.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 6.3 apg) demonstrating a true all-around impact that's alluring. There should be plenty of room for Jones to take charge, too, on a United States roster for these qualifiers that lacks much recent NBA experience.

Though it's not entirely the same context, ex-Knick Guerschon Yabusele used his Olympics breakout in 2024 to make his way back into the NBA, which illustrates how large an impact success on the international level can have.

That's what makes this a noteworthy development for Jones, who's in desperate need of a way to boost his stock. The first team that would likely come calling if he performs at a high level is New York, considering the familiarity.

There's also the fact that the Knicks still have all three two-way contracts open. This leaves Leon Rose with no shortage of options and possibilities in terms of depth, including Jones as one of those signings again, especially if he plays well with Team USA.

New York is the only team in the league with all two-way spots open, and many others have already filled theirs or are close to it. That makes this an indirect, and potentially direct, audition for Jones just before the Knicks finalize who they want to bring to training camp in September.

Get Knicks On SI straight to your inbox: sign up for our free newsletter here.

Add us as a preferred source on Google