NBA Notes: Knicks, James Wiseman, Nuggets, Julian Strawther, Lakers

Knicks

James Wiseman’s path to a roster spot just got considerably clearer.

The Knicks plan to waive Tony Bradley, Ochai Agbaji and injured center Drew Eubanks, according to ESPN. That leaves Wiseman as the remaining center from the three-man camp competition for a job behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.

SNY’s Ian Begley reported Thursday that Wiseman had emerged as the frontrunner. New York could still explore outside options, but his chances of sticking have plainly improved.

The Knicks have 13 players on guaranteed contracts. While they technically have room for two more, filling both openings would push their payroll above the second tax apron, something owner James Dolan has said they won’t do.

That makes the final selection as much about roster priorities as available space. Eubanks’ exit comes after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle that will sideline him for an extended period. Earlier this week, coach Mike Brown said all three centers belonged on NBA rosters.

For Wiseman, the opportunity now is to turn a promising camp position into a regular-season role.

Nuggets

Julian Strawther had been giving the Nuggets reasons to put him in the rotation. Now they’re waiting to learn how long an injury might keep him out of it.

Strawther is scheduled for an MRI Thursday after injuring his left leg during Wednesday’s preseason game against the Clippers, according to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post.

His leg twisted underneath him as he fell while trying to escape a double-team in the third quarter. He remained down before leaving the game and didn’t appear to put weight on the leg.

Coach David Adelman lamented seeing a player who had been “working their ass off all summer” get hurt.

“All you can do is hope for the best,” Adelman said, via Altitude’s Katy Winge.

Strawther averaged 13.2 points in 18.4 minutes across four preseason appearances, shooting 43.5 percent from beyond the arc. That production had strengthened his case as Adelman sorts out the supporting cast around DeMar DeRozan on the second unit.

An extension deadline also arrives Monday, though Strawther wasn’t considered a strong candidate for a deal beforehand. The immediate concern is getting a diagnosis after an encouraging preseason took an unfortunate turn.

Lakers

Walker Kessler waited nearly a year to play another NBA game. He needed just 16 minutes to show the Lakers what they’ve been missing.

Kessler finished with 11 points and nine rebounds in Tuesday’s preseason debut against Golden State, returning after shoulder surgery cost him most of last season.

“It was a lot of fun being out there again,” Kessler said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Before the game I was actually pretty nervous, to be honest. But getting out there and just playing with the guys, it was a blast.”

Los Angeles outscored Golden State by 15 with Kessler on the floor and was outscored by 27 without him. One preseason game won’t establish a trend, but that’s a useful introduction.

Austin Reaves credited Kessler’s hard rolls to the basket with creating several good looks for teammates. Sandro Mamukelashvili praised his rim protection.

JJ Redick wants Kessler to be “relentless,” a responsibility the center described as crashing the glass, establishing a paint presence and avoiding plays off at either end.

He managed an effective first outing without Luka Doncic, who sat out Tuesday. Getting those two together gives the Lakers something else to anticipate.

More Hoops: 

• New York waiving Eubanks, Bradley, Agbaji
• NBA Notes: Bronny, Porzingis, Bulls