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As NBA free agency gets going, some NBA stars will be cashing in the big check or getting a fresh start with a change of scenery for the coming years. All the while later on this week, some of the next generation of NBA talent will be fighting to secure a roster spot or a two-way deal as the NBA Summer League gets started in Las Vegas.
Former Kentucky Wildcats are scattered throughout the league, but one team in Vegas will have the Kentucky connection going on strong in the New York Knicks.
The Knicks released their summer league roster on Monday, and three former Cats made the cut in Immanuel Quickley, Kevin Knox, and Reid Travis.
The Summer League roster is set pic.twitter.com/H6rqkZEzTt
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) August 2, 2021
Quickley, a breakout rookie sensation, will be looking to make another big jump going into his sophomore season. There’s no chance he’ll miss out on a roster spot, but it is always good to get some of your young guys get extra development.
Going into his fourth season for the Knicks is Kevin Knox, which will also be his fourth time joining the summer league squad. Knox has had some trouble finding his spot in New York, even after being a top-10 pick in his draft class.
Even so, Know does show the skill set that got him drafted that high on occasion, but it also wouldn't be a shock to see him get traded this offseason.
The new name to the roster is Reid Travis. The Stanford transfer came into Lexington for one season and pushed for a case to be drafted but was unsuccessful. He played for the Atlanta Hawks’ summer league team in 2019, then landed a deal with Medi Bayreuth of the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany.
Before the season was suspended, Travis averaged 9.8 points 5.4 rebounds per game. Most recently, he signed a contract with Shimane Susanoo Magic of the B-League in Japan. Travis will look to make his mark this summer and utilize a familiar face in Kenny Payne to help develop and hopefully stick at the NBA level.
The NBA season will be here before we know it folks. Until then, let’s enjoy some former Cats balling out in Vegas.