The G Leaguer John Jenkins played for the Washington Wizards and their affiliate before re-connecting with the Knicks.

The New York Knicks have signed guard John Jenkins to a 10-day contract, first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The NY Post‘s Marc Berman later confirmed the deal.

Jenkins, turning 27 years old in March, started the season in White Plains, playing for New York’s G League affiliate Westchester Knicks. Then, in January, the Washington Wizards signed the 6-foot-4 Jenkins to a 10-day deal. Jenkins shuffled between D.C. and the franchise’s G League affiliate Capital City Go-Go.

In Westchester, Jenkins averaged nearly 25 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 43.2 percent from three, and 92.8 percent from the free-throw line (per RealGM). Jenkins played 19 games with the DubKnicks and two recent games with Capital City.

Despite being a strong player in the G League, Jenkins has found tough times trying to stick with a big league team. Initially drafted by Atlanta with the 23rd overall pick in 2012, the shooting guard has spent most of his professional career transferring between development squads among various NBA teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. The Knicks are in need of wing depth due to last month’s blockbuster Kristaps Porzingis trade, which sent swingmen Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke to Dallas as well. Also with Frank Ntilikina and Emmanel Mudiay currently sidelined, New York has subsisted on a guard diet of Dennis Smith Jr., Damyean Dotson, Kadeem Allen, and Allonzo Trier.

The Knicks promoted Westchester floor general Allen on January 14th—signing the lead guard to a two-way contract after the spot was vacated when the ‘Bockers signed Trier, Allen’s former Arizona teammate, to a long-term deal following the conclusion of the latter’s 45 days. Allen had arguably his best game with the team on Saturday night, tallying 14 points, four rebounds, and six assists in the home loss to Toronto. Trier, originally an undrafted free agent, is having a commendable year for an unheralded and overlooked player.

At the end of the 2018 calendar year, The Knicks Wall staff writer Nick Scolaro scouted Jenkins and the DubKnicks. Despite a rare low-scoring night for Jenkins, Scolaro mentioned the undersized wing’s unmistakable impact on Westcheser’s winning formula.

“Jenkins’ ability to still contribute and find a way to help his team gut out a victory is a testament to the team guy he is,” Scolaro wrote.

After the game, Jenkins commented on what made this season successful for him despite bouncing around teams and the league:

“Having experience in different places definitely helps, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had before,” Jenkins said. “I’m always working to improve my game and win and I think it’s really coming together this year.”

Notably, Jenkins was also a key cog in Westchester head coach Mike Miller’s elite defense. Jenkins chipped in 1.1 steals per contest in White Plains.

With the Knicks’ roster more or less taking shape after the trade deadline, giving Jenkins a shot could be a fruitful endeavor for taking inventory of more unrecognized talents while the 10-win team rebuilds.

UPDATE: 11:56 a.m. ET.

The Knicks make the Jenkins signing official:

 

 

»READ: Nick Scolaro on John Jenkins from January

»READ: Scolaro on Knicks’ wing depth need and Jenkins possibility from December.