Former New York Knicks lottery pick Kevin Knox II is reportedly in discussions for a move to Spanish club Unicaja Malaga. This potential switch to Europe comes just days after the Orlando Magic waived the 27-year-old forward.
Knox was released by the Orlando Magic last Friday after joining the team on an Exhibit 10 training camp contract. He played in four preseason games for Orlando, putting up 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in just under 10 minutes per game. The Magic could have sent him to their G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, where he stood to earn a bonus up to $91,000. Instead, talks with the Spanish Liga ACB side Unicaja Malaga have opened a different path.
This would mark the first overseas move for Knox, who was selected ninth overall by the Knicks in the 2018 NBA Draft. His six-year NBA journey included 320 games with averages of 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds, plus stops in Atlanta, Detroit, Portland, and Golden State after his three-and-a-half seasons in New York.
The financial and competitive appeal of Europe looks strong for a player of Knox's profile. He has consistently dominated the G League for the past three seasons, proving he's outgrown that developmental level. Across 78 G League games since 2023, he averaged 21.6 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting an excellent 40.0% from three-point range.
Last season with the Windy City Bulls, he was particularly sharp, averaging 21.4 points and 7.6 rebounds and hitting 41.4% of his threes. That kind of efficient perimeter scoring is highly valued in European leagues. At 27, securing a prominent role and a likely stronger salary in a top league like Spain's ACB represents a logical next step.
Knox's potential departure is a distant footnote for the current Knicks, but it closes a chapter on a former high-potential draft pick. The team is fully focused on its present preseason schedule. They most recently secured a 122-120 preseason win over the Toronto Raptors on October 15, 2026.
That victory followed a tough 148-98 loss to those same Raptors just two days prior. The preseason has been a mixed bag, with additional losses to Minnesota, Washington, and Philadelphia. The Knicks will look to build momentum in their final preseason tune-up, a home game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20.
Negotiations with Unicaja Malaga will determine if this European opportunity becomes reality. The Spanish club competes in both the domestic Liga ACB and the Basketball Champions League, offering a high level of competition. If a deal is finalized, Knox would bring his NBA experience and proven G League scoring ability to a new stage.
For the Knicks, attention remains on finalizing the roster ahead of the regular season. The preseason results, including the recent narrow win over Toronto, provide the coaching staff with plenty to evaluate. Knox's career pivot shows the varied paths professional basketball can take after an NBA tenure.
