Knicks sign Windler, Locking in Their Two-Way Slots

What does free agent Dylan Windler bring to the table?

The Knicks signed free agent Dylan Windler to a two-way contract on Monday. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN first reported the news.

Before we get to New York's corresponding moves to clear a roster spot, let's talk a bit about Windler.

The 26-year-old forward was selected by Cleveland with the 26th pick of the 2019 draft and spent all four of his NBA seasons with the Cavaliers. Windler has been ravaged by injuries since coming out of college. He missed the entire rookie season due to a stress reaction in his lower leg and appeared in a total of just 84 games during his career with Cleveland. This past season, he played in only three games for ten total minutes. Unsurprisingly, the Cavs chose not to extend him a $6 million qualifying offer last month, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Because he was four years removed from his draft date, Windler would previously have been ineligible to sign a two-way contract, but a new provision in the current CBA stipulates that if a player misses an entire season, it does not count as a year of service. Thus, with three years of service time under his belt (as opposed to four), Windler could ink a two-way pact.

So, why would the Knicks take a flier on an injury-riddled player who will turn 27 in September and has failed to make an impact in the NBA? The answer is simple: talent. 

Windler established himself as one of the best shooters in the country during his career at Belmont University and saw his draft stock skyrocket after a remarkably impressive senior season. Windler averaged 21.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.0 made treys per game in 2018-19 while also leading the Windler led the Ohio Valley Conference in three-point shooting percentage (42.9) and made three-pointers (100). He capped his stellar collegiate career by leading Belmont to its first NCAA Tournament victory with a win over Temple. Two days later, he poured in a game-high 35 points in a 77-79 loss to Maryland.

Measuring in at 6'8" with a 6'10" wingspan, Windler's combination of length and shooting accuracy intrigued NBA teams. He profiled as an impactful wing with a lethal stroke that was also a solid contributor on the defensive end of the floor.  

The Cavs had high hopes for him when they selected him in the first round. However, as noted above, injuries cost him invaluable opportunities to prove himself early in his career. When he was healthy enough to step foot on the floor, he didn't shoot well enough to earn additional minutes. During the 2021-22 campaign, Windler shot just 30% from behind the arc. Last season, after the Cavs traded for Donovan Mitchell and were competing for playoff positioning on a nightly basis, Windler watched from the bench.