National Basketball Association

Knicks Rumors: Reasons To Love Cleanthony Early Re-Signing

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:22 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks have re-signed 2014 NBA Draft pick Cleanthony Early. Here are five reasons you should absolutely love the move.

Apr 12, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) guard New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early (11) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Following the primary roster moves made by team president Phil Jackson, most eyes in New York City turned to Cleanthony Early. Though he’s been rather underwhelming in his two seasons with the New York Knicks, he was the first player drafted by Jackson.

It took more than three months for something to transpire, but the Knicks have finally made a decision on Early’s future with the team.

Jackson traded into the 2014 NBA Draft to select Early at No. 34 overall. No one expected a star to be found in the second round, and Jackson was dealt a tough hand with zero draft picks, but the selection was significant.

Two years later, Early has shown minimal signs of improvement and few reasons to be optimistic about his future in New York.

True as that all may be, there are still reasons to applaud Jackson for bringing Early back for another season. It may not be a groundbreaking or franchise-altering move, but it’s a decision worth evaluating.

There are reasons for skepticism, of course, but there are also five reasons to love this move.

Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early (17) forward Maurice Ndour (55) and guard Jerian Grant (13) celebrate after scoring on a play against the 76ers during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. The Knicks won the game in overtime, 84-81. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

5. Familiarity

The New York Knicks have built a roster with new faces, which offers a breath of fresh air to what’s been a losing organization. It also creates the reality that New York has minimal continuity from the 2014-15 or 2015-16 seasons.

In two intriguing ways, Early being re-signed creates a sense of continuity and familiarity at both the NBA and D-League levels.

Early has played the past two seasons with the Knicks. In other words, he has experience running the triangle offense, is familiar with the six returning Knicks players, and has even been through the D-League ranks.

Tough he isn’t heading directly to the main roster, it stands to reason that he could be called up if he performs at a high enough level in the D-League.

Furthermore, it’s entirely possible that Ron Baker will join the Westchester Knicks in 2016-17. Baker has the potential to make the main roster—and he’s on the fast track to doing so—but if not, Baker could be reunited with Early in Westchester.

For those unfamiliar, Baker and Early were teammates on the Wichita State Shockers. That creates yet another layer of familiarity between Early and an important asset.

Apr 1, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Cleanthony Early (17) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Alan Anderson (6) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

4. Building Confidence

It says something about Cleanthony Early that he was willing to accept what’s essentially a one-way ticket to the NBA D-League. He could’ve gone overseas and played for more money, but he instead accepted an opportunity to work his way up the ranks.

One can rationally expect Early to be the most productive player on the Westchester Knicks—a great way to build some of the confidence he’s been lacking.

Early has compiled averages of 4.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.5 3-point field goals made in 14.3 minutes per outing in 56 regular season NBA games. He’s done so on a slash line of .346/.263/.750.

Those numbers traditionally belong to one of two players: one who doesn’t belong in the NBA or one who has the talent, but doesn’t have the confidence.

The jury is still out on Early, but it’s often looked as though he’s the latter. For perspective, in 10 career NBA D-League games played, Early has averages of 17.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.4 offensive boards, 1.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.4 3-point field goals made.

Along with an efficient field goal percentage of .450, it stands to reason that there’s upside to explore.

Oct 17, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early (11) goes up for a shot while Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) defends during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

3. Upside

For all that’s been made about Cleanthony Early’s lackluster New York Knicks career, he’s still only 25 years of age. That creates the undeniable reality that his NBA story is still in the process of being written.

With confidence built in the NBA D-League, Early could finally achieve and maximize his full potential with the Knicks.

Early intrigued many at the 2014 NBA Draft Combine with his physical gifts. He was measured at 6’7.25″ and 209 pounds with a 6’10.75″ wingspan, just 4.5 percent body fat, and an explosive 40.0″ max vertical leap.

Early averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 3-point field goals made per game on a slash line of .484/.373/.844 during his final collegiate season.

None of this guarantees success, but it’s hard to overlook the natural talent that Early possesses. It’s also imperative to note that Early missed a large portion of the 2015-16 season after suffering a gunshot wound to his knee.

Early has a limited opportunity to prove himself, but he still has upside that’s worth exploring on the NBA and D-League levels.

Apr 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early (11) chases a loose ball into the crowd during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden. The Raptors defeated the Knicks 93-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

2. Sense Of Urgency

This may be Cleanthony Early’s final chance to secure a roster spot on an NBA team. That may sound extreme, but the once coveted prospect has provided very little as far as production or signs of NBA-caliber play are concerned.

There’s simply nothing more valuable in a player than a sense of urgency—one birthed by a sense of reality.

No player is more dangerous in the world of sports than one who’s desperate to keep his job. Not everyone has developed the mental toughness to excel when faced with that type of pressure, but if Early has, then the results could be sensational.

With something to prove and an NBA career to lose, Early should come out with an unparalleled fire and passion in 2016-17.

Early has the physical gifts and raw skill set to be an effective NBA role player. Whether it takes a full season in the D-League, a few weeks, or multiple months, he should take this process seriously if he’s hoping to resurrect his career.

Early has the potential to be more than just an end-of-the-rotation player who gets minimal playing time. It’s all about how hard he’s willing to work.

Oct 17, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early (11) goes up for a shot against Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

1. No Risk, High Reward

The New York Knicks aren’t risking much of anything by signing Cleanthony Early. He’s going directly to the NBA D-League, already has experience with the Westchester Knicks, and still has a relatively high ceiling.

The reality is, New York has signed an upside player to the NBA D-League and put very little on the line by doing so.

Early has been listed as a small forward throughout his career, but he may be better off as a stretch 4 in the modern NBA. He’s a productive rebounder, has an explosive vertical, and can’t shoot well enough to be a knockdown threat, but can space the floor quite well.

That all adds up to Early making the move to a different position—a move that could save and revitalize his NBA career.

Having established this, the Knicks can tinker with Early’s position in the NBA D-League and evaluate the results. There’s no harm in moving him to a different position and potentially seeing him fail, as they can simply switch him back to small forward.

If he excels at power forward, or comes along as an NBA-caliber small forward, then the Knicks could have another young piece to build with.

There’s no risk and a potentially high reward. What’s not to love about that?