UCLA product Travis Wear knows he has beaten the odds and beaten out veteran Travis Outlaw for the 15th and final spot on the Knicks roster.
The 6-foot-10 Wear was bypassed in June’s draft and came in as a longshot to win the last roster spot as the Knicks had 15 guaranteed contracts. But Outlaw, obtained in an August trade with Sacramento along with Quincy Acy, had a lousy preseason and the Knicks found a way to shed his contract.
The Knicks traded Outlaw along with a 2019 second-round pick (and option to exchange 2018 second-rounders) to the tanking 76ers on Monday in exchange for Arnett Moultrie, who was promptly waived.
Derek Fisher said an Achilles injury to Outlaw hurt his bid. He played a total of 14 minutes in two preseason games.
“We didn’t see it as not wanting to be here,’’ Derek Fisher said. “He had an injury with an Achilles that set him back getting comfortable with our group. It was more a product of the way our roster was constructed and management decided to go in a different direction.’’
The Knicks originally planned to cut Wear and have him play on their Westchester D-League team. Now, he can go back and forth between the Knicks and their new affiliate. He showed hustle, speed and a solid mid-range jumper, shooting 45 percent during the preseason.
“Obviously ecstatic,’’ Wear said. “I’m very excited to be part of the team. I’m just going remain humble. I came in here and working and not expecting anything, laying defense, taking what comes to me and not force anything. There were 15 roster spots coming in. My situation as an undrafted free agent, I knew I needed to showcase what I can do. I was very overwhelmed. You work your whole life to get to this point. To come in and have to earn it is very gratifying.’’
Wear worked out for the Knicks before the draft.
“I thought I had an opportunity to go in the second round,’’ Wear said.
Fisher said: “He’s a young guy who has a feel for the game, understands spacing, playing in a five-man unit and is a great athlete. He has a skill set over time to develop.’’
Travis’ twin brother, David, also played at UCLA and is likely headed to the D-League after being cut by Sacramento.
Point guard Jose Calderon participated in most of practice. Fisher said Calderon is “trending’’ toward playing Wednesday, but added the big test is how he recovers for Tuesday’s practice. Backup point guard Pablo Prigioni is suffering from a lower back injury and didn’t practice. He was seen wearing a large wrapping around his back.