Patrick

Ewing Jr.

That Ewing isn’t being held on a team with nobody signed and in need of younger players is a bit of buzzkill if you’re rooting for his progress. Obviously, there is no fantasy value in Dynasty leagues or otherwise.

Ewing Jr. turned a few heads in the D-League last season, but has yet to meaningfully break into the NBA (he made seven cameos with the Hornets in 2010-11). Details of his overseas contract are unclear.

The Kings drafted Ewing Jr. in the second-round of the 2008 draft, but he never managed to get into a game in Sacramento. He spent some time with the Knicks, Rockets and Hornets, and also made some stops overseas, however it appears his professional basketball career is now over.

Ewing could still get an invitation to training camp, but he’s a longshot to make the Knicks’ regular season roster. Regardeless of where he ends up, he won’t have any fantasy appeal.

“I’m going to wear No. 6,” said Ewing Jr. “It was my dad’s Olympic number, and Bill Russell’s number, who was my favorite player.” Ewing said he realizes fans were eager to know number he would choose, but that No. 33 will always belong to his dad. “My dad’s jersey’s hanging up there in the rafter’s for a reason,” he said. Ewing has a real shot at making the team, but it depends on what they do with Stephon Marbury and whether or not they buy out the contract of Jerome James.

Artest reinforces the Rockets’ championship aspirations, giving them a versatile offensive weapon and former Defensive Player of the Year. In 2007-2008 he averaged 21 points and six rebounds per game, numbers he should be able to duplicate even with T-Mac and Yao getting their touches.

Ewing will have a hard time finding minutes behind Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes, and his prospects are even dimmer if Carl Landry re-signs with the Rockets.

The Knicks still somehow had the rights to Weis, their first-round pick in 1999. Weis was a complete bust who chose to not play in the NBA, and who is most famous for being dunked on (or should we say over) by Vince Carter in the 2000 Olympics. As for Ewing Jr., he’s already on his third NBA team despite not yet playing a game, and may struggle to make the Knicks’ opening-night roster.

He was the Sixth Man of the Year in the Big East and was rated as the best athlete in Orlando. He could have a future, especially given the Kings needs at power forward.

The Knicks are trying to get oft-injured big man James to retire to free up a roster spot and clear the remaining two years and $12.6 million left on his contract off the salary cap. In addition, forward Rose, who has one year and $7.6 million left on his deal, is also a buyout candidate. If neither player returns it would help clear the way for Patrick Ewing Jr. and Allan Houston to make the team.