The Luka Samanic experiment is over.
The Knicks are waiving the Spurs’ 2019 first-round pick after he’d been sidelined with plantar fasciitis, having played in one G League game in nearly three months.
Samanic was signed to a two-way contract after the Spurs cut him during training camp. The Knicks will reportedly sign small forward Feron Hunt of the Texas Legends to a two-way contract to replace Samanic. (Teams are permitted two two-way contract players; Jericho Sims is the Knicks’ other one).
Hunt, who attended SMU, was on the Pelicans’ roster earlier this season, signed as a COVID-19 hardship player, but didn’t play. He averaged 18.1 points in the G League.
Meanwhile, Samanic was named G League Player of the Week on Dec. 7 when he looked to be a potent inside-outside threat. The 6-foot-10 Croatian last played on Jan. 7, when he poured in 26 points but his foot acted up again.
The Knicks are waiving Luka Samanic, who was a first-round pick of the Spurs in 2019. NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks are signing Feron Hunt to a 10-day contract. NBAE via Getty ImagesSamanic played in just eight games total (which includes the “Showcase” games and regular-season games). He averaged 27.6 points on 39 percent shooting from 3-point range and 54 percent overall.
