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Early wasn't extended a qualifying offer by the Knicks prior to Thursday's deadline, making him an unrestricted free agent, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports.
It was also revealed earlier in the day that Early was nursing a strained hamstring that prevented him from practicing with the Knicks' summer league team, according to Steve Popper of The Record, but that likely didn't factor into the organization's decision not to extend a qualifying offer. Instead, it was Early's lack of impact across 56 games in his two seasons with the Knicks that had the most influence, as the forward averaged just 4.3 points (on 34.6% shooting from the field) and 2.2 rebounds over 14.3 minutes in those contests. Once he shakes of the hamstring ailment, Early will still suit up for the Knicks in the summer league, and there's a good possibility he'll end up re-signing with the club in free agency.
