Wesley Saunders, Darion Atkins to Knicks: Latest Contract Details, Reaction

The New York Knicks announced the signings of former Harvard Crimson swingman Wesley Saunders and Virginia Cavaliers product Darion Atkins.

ESPN.com's Ian Begley reported the contracts are training-camp deals. The Knicks' official public relations Twitter account captured images of the players as they put pen to paper:

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September 10, 2015-New York Knicks signed Darion Atkins & Wesley Saunders to contracts. pic.twitter.com/ZfffzHrNI3

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) September 10, 2015"

Saunders went to the NCAA men's basketball tournament with Harvard in all four of his years at the prestigious university, leading the Crimson in scoring in each of his final three seasons. Atkins is a forward who won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award last season and averaged 7.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest.

Based on New York's current roster makeup, both acquisitions make sense—even if little can be expected right away from both Saunders and Atkins at the NBA level.

Rumor has it that the Knicks are exploring trade possibilities involving superstar forward Carmelo Anthony, per Grantland's Zach Lowe. Although Saunders is nowhere near a player of Anthony's caliber, he's a solid developmental prospect whom the team can deploy at the 3 or the 2, a position with minimal depth behind Arron Afflalo.

Who could forget the last time the Knicks inconspicuously picked up a former Harvard player? His name is Jeremy Lin, the catalyst of the Linsanity movement that thrilled Madison Square Garden.

New York's power forward position will revolve around Derrick Williams—who's been stuck between the 3 and 4 as a pro—and raw rookie Kristaps Porzingis. Williams and Porzingis are perimeter-oriented players, so there seems to be room for Atkins to contribute as an energetic defender off the bench down the line.