New York Knicks Reportedly Sign Sasha Vujacic to 1-Year Contract

The New York Knicks are one step closer to fielding a team that's almost certain to improve upon last season's lowly 17 wins. The organization reportedly agreed to terms with longtime Los Angeles Lakers shooter Sasha Vujacic.

The New York Post's Jonathan Lehman notes that, "The mostly non-guaranteed deal represents an invitation to training camp, according to the Post's Marc Berman."

ESPN.com's Ian Begley offered further details on the deal.

Having spent the last couple of years primarily overseas, it remains to be seen how the 31-year-old will readjust to NBA life. But one suspects team president (and former Lakers head coach) Phil Jackson vouched for Vujacic and paved the way for the team to acquire another badly needed shooter for the wing.

Vujacic has only averaged 5.6 points for his career, but he's made an impressive 37.1 percent of his three-point attempts. His last truly productive NBA season came with the then-New Jersey Nets in 2010-11, and subsequent seasons were spent with several international clubs. Vujacic recorded a career-high 11.4 points and 28.5 minutes per contest with the Nets.

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The 2004 first-rounder signed a 10-day deal with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014, making just two appearances for the team before returning to Europe.

Vujacic figures to see a few minutes behind starting shooting guard Arron Afflalo, at least so long as his perimeter shot continues falling and he makes it out of training camp. It certainly doesn't hurt that the Slovenian is already familiar with the triangle offense and head coach Derek Fisher, who played with Vujacic for a little over three seasons in L.A.

Though the move makes some sense from an X's and O's perspective, it's unlikely to satisfy Knicks fans who were hungry for a more robust offseason haul. Here's how NBCSports.com's Dan Feldman assessed the deal:

"

It's possible the Knicks didn't give Vujacic a guaranteed contract, but merely a chance to prove himself in training camp. If so, there's little downside to this move, and maybe Vujacic helps better players learn the triangle offense. If not, they're wasting a roster spot on a player who seems unlikely to help them on the court now or in the future.

"

"Wasting" is a strong word, but odds are Vujacic doesn't emerge as a significant difference-maker this season. 

Still, the Knicks will need some help behind Afflalo, particularly after dealing swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night in June. If that job doesn't ultimately fall to Vujacic, don't be surprised to see New York make a follow-up move in due time. 

For Vujacic, this is likely his best chance to secure a job in the NBA. Unless he makes a strong impression, he'll likely find himself playing overseas once again this season.