Igor Milicić Jr, a member of Poland's national basketball team, has signed with the New York Knicks, the reigning National Basketball Association champions, on an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Interia. The 24-year-old had long been searching for a route into the NBA, and after a season of waiting, his patience appears to have paid off.
The deal means Milicić Jr will train with the Knicks during their preseason camp, giving him a chance to earn a place on the roster before the regular season begins.
Milicić Jr is the son of Igor Milicić Sr, the head coach of Poland's national team. He spent last season with the Delaware Blue Coats in the G League, the NBA's official development league, playing for a team affiliated with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking to Sport.pl, Milicić Sr said his son had recently turned down contract offers from Euroleague clubs, determined to continue pursuing a career in the United States. The Euroleague is Europe's top-tier professional basketball competition.
What an Exhibit 10 Contract Means
If Milicić Jr impresses the Knicks during training camp, one of three outcomes could follow. He could be assigned to the Westchester Knicks, New York's G League affiliate, offered a contract paying the NBA's minimum salary, or given a two-way contract that would allow him to play in both the G League and the NBA.
Each NBA team is permitted three two-way contracts per season, and the Knicks have not yet used any of theirs, which improves Milicić Jr's chances. Basketball analyst Maciej Staszewski noted on the social platform X that the Knicks also have gaps in their roster at the positions where the Polish forward is most effective.
Following in Sochan's Footsteps
Should Milicić Jr earn a spot in the NBA, he would join Jeremy Sochan, who previously played for the Knicks before moving to the Portland Trail Blazers in search of more playing time. Sochan, a fellow Poland international, was originally selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2022 NBA draft.
Only three Poles had played in the NBA before Sochan: Cezary Trybański, Maciej Lampe and Marcin Gortat. Gortat, a center, spent more than a decade in the league, playing for clubs including the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers.
