Cleanthony Early Re-Signs with Knicks: Latest Contract Details and Reaction

With less than two weeks before the NBA's regular season begins, the New York Knicks are reportedly bringing back Cleanthony Early.

On Thursday, Shams Charania of The Vertical reported Early is re-signing with the Knicks and is expected to open the season in the NBA Development League to rehab a hamstring injury.

The Knicks drafted Early with the 34th pick in the 2014 draft. He appeared in 56 games over his first two seasons, averaging 4.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest while shooting 34.6 percent from the field. 

Last season was particularly difficult for Early, who was out from December through March after being robbed and shot outside of a strip club in New York.

The Knicks renounced Early's rights in July, meaning he would no longer count against their salary cap.

The team made a series of bold roster moves in the offseason with the hopes of returning to relevance in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks acquired Derrick Rose in a trade with the Chicago Bulls and signed Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings as free agents.

Carmelo Anthony is New York's starting small forward and the leader of the offense. With his body slowing down in recent years, Anthony missed 42 games two seasons ago and played 35.1 minutes per contest last year, the fourth-lowest mark of his career, per Basketball-Reference.com.

Starting in the D-League, Early won't provide immediate help, but he could offer depth at some point during the season, as Anthony will likely need rest to stay fresh down the stretch.