The former 31st overall pick is an intriguing depth option for the 2025-26 season.
Big news out of the New York Post on Thursday. A former second-round pick playing in Europe is coming overseas with intention of competing for a roster spot with the Knicks this summer.
Intriguing 7-foot Knicks prospect James Nnaji leaving Europe for Summer League chance https://t.co/tXbKiCoQcP pic.twitter.com/plajVqoJwg
— New York Post (@nypost) June 19, 2025
No, not that one. Former Hornets draft pick James Nnaji, acquired as a throw-in from Charlotte in the three-team Karl-Anthony Towns trade, has informed his current club, FC Barcelona, of his intentions to pursue an NBA career with the Knicks, who hold his draft rights.
Nnaji is already working out with the team, according to his agent, and figures to slot into the Knicks’ Summer League team next month alongside second-year players Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCullar Jr., and Ariel Hukporti.
Nnaji was selected with the opening pick in the second round in 2023 by Charlotte, but like the more publicized recent Knicks’ Eurostash, elected to return to Europe while their draft rights are retained by the team that drafts them. While many Eurostashes never come overseas (and Brock Aller seems to love to hoard those), Nnaji is ready to make the jump.
The 20-year-old got first round hype ahead of the 2023 draft thanks to his God-given traits. He was ranked as high as No. 21 as the fourth-ranked big man on The Ringer’s pre-draft Big Board. Describing him as having shades of Clint Capela, Nnaji boasts a filled-out 7’ 250lb frame with a 7’7” wingspan. They lauded his all-around defense, rim protection, rebounding, and screen setting while acknowledging his limited offensive game and occasional boneheaded mistake.
The Nigerian native has never played big minutes in Europe, but got more playing time when he was sent on loan to Girona in Liga ACB (Spain) and Merkezefendi (Turkey). In eight games in Turkey, specifically, he posted averages of 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 16.5 minutes a game on 64.9% from the field and 57.1% from the free throw line. In his four total years in Europe, Nnaji is averaging just 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.5 minutes, shooting 69.5% from the field and 48.8% from the line.
Just finished watching some film on James Nnaji and no doubt he is a physically gifted, rim-running big with elite tools but raw skills. At 7’0”, 251 with a 7’7” wingspan and a 9’4” reach, he projects as a mobile rim protector and vertical spacer. He finishes at a high clip (67%… https://t.co/tUxizS6WBO pic.twitter.com/hhp1VasVDy
— David Chabot (@Dav1dChabot) June 19, 2025
A strong all-around defender and rebounder who struggles to score outside the restricted area and from the free throw line? That reminds me of someone.
Nnaji is unlikely to impress the Knicks enough to consider putting him a situational bench role, but the Knicks will heavily consider at least using a guaranteed roster spot on the big man over a two-way if he performs well in Vegas.
As a former second-round pick, Nnaji is eligible for the second-round exception, which would allow the Knicks to sign him to a three-year contract with a Year 1 salary of under $1.5 million, considerably lower than a veteran minimum. Signing Nnaji and the Knicks’ No. 50 pick in next week’s draft to those deals would almost certainly allow the Knicks to use the full $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception while staying below the second apron.
Whether Nnaji is able to be molded into a quality NBA center remains to be seen, but his traits are intriuging to say the least. His mere presence might also give the Knicks valued roster flexibility as they look to add more depth for the 2025-26 season.