Knicks Weighing Trades to Free Cap Space After Trio of Agreements
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The New York Knicks have struck deals with Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet, and Garrison Mathews within the past 24 hours, but their current payroll only allows one of the three to occupy a regular-season roster spot under the NBA’s second tax apron.
League sources told multiple outlets that the front office is evaluating trades to open additional room before Opening Night. According to The New York Post, executives around the league anticipate a move that would let New York keep Brogdon plus either Shamet or Mathews. The Stein Line reports the organization is studying several scenarios designed to expand its cap flexibility.
One option involves trading 2024 first-round pick Pacome Dadiet, who appeared in 18 games as a rookie and is owed $2.85 million for 2025-26 with two team options to follow. Another possibility is moving second-year guard Tyler Kolek, whose guaranteed salary stands at $2.19 million next season and $2.3 million in 2026-27, also with a team option for 2027-28.
Sending out either contract without taking salary in return would permit the Knicks to retain two veteran minimum signees instead of just one. Even with such a deal, the club would still need to add a rookie holding draft rights as its 14th player and could not fill the 15th spot until later in the season. Team officials are also weighing the modest difference between Dadiet’s and Kolek’s salaries; trading Kolek, keeping two veteran free agents, and signing a rookie minimum 14th man would leave New York roughly $44,000 below the hard cap.
No timetable has been disclosed for a final decision.
Source: Hoops Rumors
