Knicks make three transactions, build flexible 14-man roster

New York brought back Boo Buie, changed Ariel Hukporti’s deal, and added Matt Ryan.

The New York Knicks finalized their roster moves to meet the NBA’s minimum requirement of 14 players on Election Day, converting rookie center Ariel Hukporti’s contract to a standard NBA deal and signing sharpshooter Matt Ryan to a non-guaranteed standard contract.

In addition, the Knicks have filled Hukporti’s vacated two-way slot by signing undrafted rookie guard Boo Buie, a former Northwestern standout who had already joined the Knicks organization during the preseason on an E-10 deal and will primarily play with the Westchester Knicks in the G League.

Matt Ryan, a White Plains native known for his three-point shooting prowess, now joins the Knicks on a non-guaranteed standard deal, giving him a chance to prove himself and giving the Knicks the flexibility to wait for Landry Shamet to heal up and see where he is once he completes his rehab.

According to the New York Post’s Peter Botte, Ryan’s contract will become fully guaranteed if he’s not waived by early January, giving Shamet more than enough time to come back, sign with the Knicks, and allowing New York to cut Ryan without incurring any financial penalty.

Ryan boasts a strong 41.1% three-point shooting percentage over 63 NBA games, playing for the Celtics, Lakers, Timberwolves, and most recently the Pelicans before they waived the sharpshooter this past preseason.

Ariel Hukporti’s promotion from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract reflects his growing role with the Knicks amid injuries to frontcourt players like Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa, while also helping New York solve their roster needs to meet the 14-man quota.

Boo Buie joins Jacob Toppin and rookie Kevin McCullar as the Knicks’ three two-way players, leaving one roster spot open through Nov. 5 transactions.

The Knicks enter Wednesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks with a rather limited squad. Ryan is probably still not ready to make his debut and is unavailable, Precious Achiuwa is expected to miss another outing, and Cam Payne is listed as questionable to face the Hawks.