Langston Galloway won’t return to the Knicks. The backup guard has agreed to a contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, a league source confirmed.
The Knicks wanted to re-sign Galloway, and extended a $2.7 million qualifying offer last week, making him a restricted free agent. But they rescinded the qualifying offer over the weekend to clear space for Brandon Jennings.
Galloway became an unrestricted free agent then, and the Louisiana native struck a deal with the Pelicans.
An undrafted guard from St. Joseph’s, Galloway averaged 9.1 points in 1 ½ seasons as a Knick.
“I would like to thank the New York Knicks organization, my teammates and fans for all of your support these past two years,” Galloway tweeted.
The Knicks have been busy during this free-agent negotiating period. They reached agreements with Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, Jennings, Lance Thomas, last year’s second-round pick Willy Hernangomez and Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas.
Players officially can sign contracts Thursday, and teams can finally announce those deals.
As it stands, the Knicks have 11 players on the roster and just four returning from last year’s team: Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle O’Quinn and Thomas. They acquired Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday in a trade from the Bulls.
The Knicks still have four roster spots to fill and only have minimum contracts to offer.
They could bring back Sasha Vujacic and sign players from their Summer League team. Cleanthony Early, Marshall Plumlee and Ron Baker are candidates.
The Knicks hope a serviceable veteran or two slips through the cracks somewhere for them.
..... - Newsday