Former first-round pick to get standard contract with Knicks

The Knicks will convert Dylan Windler from a two-way deal to a standard contract, a source tells Keith Smith of Spotrac. The contract covers one season and is non-guaranteed, tweets Fred Katz of The Athletic.

The 27-year-old small forward signed with New York in July after spending his first four NBA seasons with the Cavaliers. Cleveland opted not to give Windler a qualifying offer this summer, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Cavs selected Windler with the 26th pick in the 2019 draft, but he missed his first season with a leg injury and was never able to carve out a consistent role, averaging 3.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 84 games. He dealt with injuries through much of that time and appeared in just three games last season.

Windler will get a chance to revive his career in New York after earning a roster spot. He appeared in just one preseason game, going scoreless in about six minutes of action, but he impressed team officials enough in practice to convince them to take a chance on him.

The Knicks now have 15 players on standard contracts, including DaQuan Jeffries and Ryan Arcidiacono, whose deals are also non-guaranteed. 

The team also has a two-way opening after converting Charlie Brown and Jacob Toppin to two-way contracts earlier Saturday.