Duane

Washington Jr.

Washington Jr. has appeared in 79 contests for the Pacers and Suns across his first two NBA seasons. He’ll look for a new home before the 2024-25 campaign tips off on October 22.

The Knicks and Hornets swapped some reserves in order to complete the deal that sent KAT to New York and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo back to Minnesota. These guys help complete the deal, but there is no fantasy impact whatsoever here.

Washington is one of the most experienced players on the Knicks roster, so his offensive takeover on Saturday was unsurprising. He finished last season on a two-way contract but is currently an unrestricted free agent, so Washington’s performance against the Hornets came at a perfect time. Also fighting for a contract is Jacob Toppin, who finished the loss with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, one block, and two 3-pointers in 32 minutes. Unlike Washington, Toppin is a restricted free agent.

Washington began this season with the Knicks on a two-way deal but saw minimal action before a right thumb injury in late November sidelined him for 6-8 weeks. Washington’s return moves the Knicks back to three two-way deals, as Dylan Windler was waived last month.

Washington Jr. is set to miss the next 6-8 weeks with a thumb injury, so New York decided to have someone else occupy his two-way spot. Martin will still spend most of his time in the G-League, so this won’t have much of an impact on fantasy hoops.

Washington, who’s on a two-way contract, hasn’t been in the Knicks’ rotation when healthy. His extended absence will impact the team’s G League affiliate more.

Washington finished last season with the Knicks on a two-way contract, but all of his game action, as far as the NBA is concerned, came with the Suns. Appearing in 31 games for Phoenix before being waived in February, he averaged 7.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 3-pointers in 12.7 minutes. The Washington transaction coincides with the Knicks signing former first-round pick Dylan Windler to a two-way contract.

Washington’s continued absence will not impact the Knicks’ rotation or fantasy basketball. As a two-way contract player, he will not be eligible for the postseason.

Neither player is worth rostering, so their continued absences won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Washington and Jeffries remaining sidelined will not impact fantasy basketball, as the two-way contract recipients aren’t in the rotation when healthy.