KORNET SIGNS

the coaching staff to do what’s best for the team.”

Sources who’ve spoken to the Knicks about their plans insist they’re going young and cheap on short contracts, resisting the urge for Band Aid fixes. In other words, they’re settling in for a long rebuild. Some of the outlook is tied to Ntilikina, the eighth overall pick who sat out his third straight Summer League game Monday because of a knee bruise.

Ntilikina is unsure if he’ll play in the final two games Wednesday and Thursday.

“For sure, I want to play,” Ntilikina said. “That’s why I’m here: play and play a lot. Improve. To me being on the sides is a pain but I had a long season with my team and we talk a lot with the coaching staff and the trainers. The main thing is to not let this injury be worse. Definitely I’m sad about it but I have to be careful.”

The Knicks officially locked up one of their most impressive prospects in Summer League, inking big man Luke Kornet to a two-way deal, the team announced.

Kornet, 21, went undrafted last month out of Vanderbilt, but had worked out with the Knicks and was scooped up for the Summer League, where he demonstrated strong defense in the post and a steady 3-point shot.

Kornet is the NCAA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers by a player over 7-feet tall. Teams are permitted a pair of two-way players on its roster. The Knicks have only used the one on Kornet, who is gunning for an NBAr roster spot out of training camp.

“I’m confident in myself,” Kornet said. “I think I have a lot to show and to add to a team. That’s very much on my mind to show that I’m worth a top 15 roster spot. That’s my goal still even though I signed the two-way to show that I can contribute to an NBA team.”

Another Summer League prospect Nigel Hayes reportedly agreed to a partially-guaranteed deal after going undrafted. Secondround pick Damyean Dotson has impressed and will likely get a multi-year deal from the Knicks.