Knicks announce signing of Kevin Seraphin

Tap here to view theScore's NBA Offseason Tracker, which includes the latest transactions and rumors.

The New York Knicks have signed free-agent center Kevin Seraphin, the team announced Thursday.

Seraphin's deal is reportedly a one-year contract for $2.8 million, with the Knicks having used their Room Exception to exceed the cap and offer him more than the veteran minimum.

The signing is a bit of a surprise after the Knicks added centers Robin Lopez and Kyle O'Quinn earlier in the offseason, re-signed big man Lou Amundson, and brought in Derrick Williams and Kristaps Porzingis at power forward. It's a crowded frontcourt, but on a one-year deal, the Knicks clearly see value in a flier on the 25-year-old Seraphin.

Given the Knicks' position on the rebuilding curve, swinging for upside at the end of the roster is justifiable, even if the lottery ticket doesn't play a position of need. It could be argued that for the deal to really pay off, the Knicks should have tried to tack on a team-friendly option for a second year, but the price itself is fine.

Seraphin impressed over five seasons with the Washington Wizards but produced inconsistently. The 6-foot-9 French Guiana native averaged 6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 16.4 minutes over that time, peaking in 2012-13 in terms of both role and production, only to fall out of favor some in 2013-14 and carve out a slightly larger role again in 2014-15.

In other words, Seraphin remains a project, and a somewhat unpredictable one. With solid post scoring, a nice hook shot, and enough mobility to help on defense, he's a worthwhile dice-roll.