<![CDATA[Luca Vildoza joining Knicks just before playoffs in long-shot option]]> https://usagag.com/2021/05/20/luca-vildoza-joining-knicks-just-before-playoffs-in-long-shot-option/ Thu, 20 May 2021 08:41:18 +0000 hourly 1 https://usagag.com Luca Vildoza joining Knicks just before playoffs in long-shot option The Knicks’ newly signed combo guard Luca Vildoza is flying into New York Friday and will wear the number of an old Knicks icon when he arrives, according to a Spanish-language Twitter account run by his press team.

Vildoza is slated to don “17,’’ the number of former Knicks PG Jeremy Lin – aka Linsanity.

Luca Vildoza is joining the Knicks after signing a four-year deal
Euroleague Basketball via Getty

Whether Vildoza actually will wear it in a playoff game this season is unclear. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Vildoza’s signing is more of “a summer thing.’’ Integrating him into the playing group might be too daunting a challenge on such short notice.

The Knicks open the playoffs Sunday at 7 p.m. vs. the Hawks at the Garden. Game 2 is now set for Wednesday with Game 3 in Atlanta on Sunday. Everything is fluid but Thibodeau said recently, “We’ll have time to evaluate him over the summer.”

Vildoza, 25, who played for Baskonia of the Spanish League, signed a four-year, $13.6 million deal earlier this month. The final three years aren’t guaranteed. Vildoza’s second season becomes guaranteed the day after the season opener, The Post reported.

He will make $3.5 million this season – minus his Spanish buyout. The signing costs the Knicks players a bonus of $200,000 because the team no longer is under the salary-cap minimum.  

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Marc Berman

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