If you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em.
The new-look Philadelphia 76ers announced the signing of New York Knicks champion Dillon Jones on Tuesday. Jones is said to have signed an Exhibit 10 deal and will compete for a training camp spot.
Philadelphia was the second team to fall to the Knicks in the most recent NBA playoffs, swept in four games in the conference semifinals. With Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joining the fold, the Sixers have now added two former Knicks to their cause, previously adding reserve center Ariel Hukporti.
Those who believe that the Sixers are ready to usurp the Knicks are no doubt enthused by the arrival of Jones. The reserve power forward has been part of each of the last two NBA championship runs, previously with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024-25.
Jones owns a rather humorous, if not unique, spot in Knicks championship lore despite appearing in only seven games and 39 minutes (none during the playoffs).
When the Knicks’ title victory was commemorated with a massive parade on June 18, Jones was erroneously listed as No. 33 on a large commemorative banner at City Hall, which displayed each champion’s name and jersey number. Jones wore No. 1 during his time with the Knicks, as 33 is retired for franchise legend Patrick Ewing.
Jones lingered in the Knicks’ system twice: originally chosen 26th overall by Washington in the 2024 draft, he was sent to the Knicks with the 51st pick (which became Melvin Ajinça, ironically traded to Dallas for Hukporti) in exchange for the 24th-overall pick, Kyshawn George. New York then traded Jones to Oklahoma City for five second-round choices.
Traded to and released by Washington, Jones rejoined the Knicks on a two-way deal in January and made something of an impact with the team’s G League club in Westchester, averaging 15.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in 18 appearances.
While the Knicks, who previously added ex-Sixer Andre Drummond, should be able to overcome the nominal loss of Jones, it does perhaps remove another candidate from their battle to replace Hukporti in the latter stages of the interior depth chart.
The Knicks have yet to add any Exhibit 10 deals of their own, and what transpires in the department will be worth watching when the team convenes for training camp at the onset of its title defense.
Should Jones make the Philadelphia roster, it won’t take long for him to see his old teammates again: New York and Philadelphia are set to do battle on Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden as part of the Association’s season-opening festivities.
Hukporti and Jones would likely receive their championship rings that night.
