Bruno Fernando might have had some options this summer.
The Toronto Raptors’ new backup center reportedly attracted interest from the New York Knicks earlier this offseason, by Ian Begley of SNYIt’s unclear exactly what the Knicks were willing to offer Fernando, but the 26-year-old Angolan big man opted to sign a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with Toronto through next season.
The Knicks are looking for more depth at center after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency earlier this summer. The Knicks re-signed former Raptors big man Precious Achiuwa, but remain thin in the frontcourt behind Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.
Fernando appears to be the odds-on contender for the final guaranteed roster spot on Toronto’s roster this season. The organization has 14 players under guaranteed contracts, and Fernando is the only player on a traditional, non-guaranteed contract entering training camp.
If Fernando makes it to Opening Day, his contract will guarantee him $2.1 million next season and he will slide into Toronto’s third-string center spot behind Jakob Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk.
The 2.05 m center played five seasons in the NBA and spent last year with the Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 58.3 percent. He was the 34th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to Atlanta.
Over his career, Fernando is averaging four points and 3.3 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game.
Toronto has one roster spot available for training camp if the organization wants to make an additional signing before heading to Montreal next month.