Renaldo

Balkman

Terms were not disclosed, but according to the rookie salary scale, Balkman will receive slightly more than $2 million for two years. Balkman will be an interesting guy to keep an eye on this season after the Knicks suprisingly took him at No. 20 in the draft. However, it’s doubtful that he’ll have fantasy value.

He had six points and four rebounds before leaving and has now suffered both a sprained knee and ankle since being drafted. He should be fine, but if he keeps getting injured, his development will suffer.

“It’s pretty sore, but I’m a fighter,” Balkman said. “It’s not going to stop me from playing. I’m not going to sit out because of a little sprain. I will play on Friday. I’m so excited being in Las Vegas for the first time.”

New Jersey has started five different players at SF this season without any lasting success, and they’ve been weakened by injuries to DeShawn Stevenson and Damion James. Balkman might give them some relief, but even as a starter he’s not a likely fantasy asset.

Balkman was released on Friday to make room for the newly acquired J.R. Smith and will look to continue his career by latching on as an energy player for another team.

This should not impact your fantasy draft plans. There has been no previous information on the injury, so we assume it’s something new for Balkman.

“I haven’t thought about it.” D’Antoni said. “It will be a hurdle you get over. He’s obviously a talented basketball player and you can always use talent. It’s not going to change up a whole lot what we’re doing.” Landry Fields is clearly still the team’s starting shooting guard, and while D’Antoni doesn’t exactly sound excited to be adding Smith to the mix, he might be if the team starts losing again. It could take some time for Smith to have much fantasy value, but he’s also probably worth hanging onto for now. The Knicks will waive Renaldo Balkman to clear a roster spot for Smith.

It’s a non-guaranteed deal, meaning he isn’t expected to make the final roster, especially since the Mavs already have 15 guaranteed contracts. Balkman was a shocking pick at No. 20 for the Knicks in 2006, when Isiah Thomas thought he was outsmarting the rest of the league. Balkman averaged 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 221 NBA games.

Balkman last played in the NBA during the 2011-12 season with the Knicks. He joined the Philippine Basketball Association in 2012, promptly earning a lifetime ban for choking a teammate, and he’s since settled into a featured role for Brujos de Guayama in his native Puerto Rico.

“All I need is one shot, one more chance,” said Balkman, who damaged his reputation by head-butting Greivis Vasquez during FIBA competition in 2011, and was banned from the Philippine Basketball Association for choking a teammate in 2013. His most realistic options are to play in Spain or Puerto Rico next season.