Mid‑September free‑agency chatter sees the New York Knicks targeting versatile wing John Konchar, the New Orleans Pelicans waiving forward Christian Shumate, and the Denver Nuggets signaling continued interest in Nikola Jokic as teams shape rosters ahead of training camp.
Avalanche of free‑agency moves is already reshaping the NBA landscape ahead of training camp. Teams are probing depth options, with the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans among the most active as the league heads into its final roster‑building window.
The Knicks have emerged as a leading suitor for veteran wing John Konchar, a 30‑year‑old who split last season between the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz. Konchar averaged 4.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks in 19.9 minutes over 56 games, while his per‑36‑minute numbers showed a strong defensive profile with 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.2 blocks. Marc Stein described him as “one of the top free agents available,” noting interest from Miami, Orlando and Toronto as well [1].
In a separate roster move, the New Orleans Pelicans released forward Christian Shumate on September 15, clearing a spot on their roster as they evaluate offseason options [2]. The waiver was reported by HoopsHype and confirmed by the team’s official channels.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets provided a promising update on their pursuit of Nikola Jokic. While the franchise has not made major roster overhauls due to salary‑cap constraints, the organization signaled continued interest in retaining or re‑signing the MVP‑caliber center as free agency unfolds [3]. The Nuggets’ approach underscores their strategy of building around core talent while remaining financially prudent.