Knicks Rumors: Chuma Okeke Agrees to Contract in 2024 NBA Free Agency | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 15: Chuma Okeke #3 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on January 15, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photo, User agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images license agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Knicks and forward Chuma Okeke signed a contract in free agency on Thursday, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Okeke, who turns 26 on August 18, was selected 16th overall in the 2019 NBA draft out of Auburn. He played his first four NBA seasons with the Orlando Magic.

The Magic made Okeke an unrestricted free agent in June when they did not extend him a qualifying offer.

During his four NBA campaigns, Okeke played in 189 regular season games, averaging 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 three-pointers per game while connecting on 38.3 percent of his shots and 31.8 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line.

After averaging over 25 minutes per game in his first two seasons and 19 minutes per game in 2022-23, Okeke saw his playing time decrease significantly last season.

In the 47 games he played in, he played just 9.2 minutes per game and averaged 2.3 points per game, the lowest total of his career.

Playing time will likely be tough to come by in New York as well, as the Knicks have worked hard this offseason to bolster their roster, which had the second-best record in the Eastern Conference last season at 50-32.

In addition to re-signing OG Anunoby to play alongside the core of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets

The Knicks did lose Isaiah Hartenstein and Alec Burks to free agency, while also waiving Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes and Bojan Bogdanović, so Okeke could be key in bolstering the back end of the roster.