NEW YORK — The Knicks headed into the 2025-26 campaign with a new voice on the bench, a fresh deal for Mikal Bridges and only marginal changes to a roster that reached last season’s Eastern Conference Finals.
Key signings
Guerschon Yabusele joined on a two-year, $11.275 million pact that carries a player option for 2026-27 and used nearly the entire taxpayer mid-level exception. Jordan Clarkson arrived on a one-year veteran minimum contract after a buyout with Utah.
Trade activity
New York sent the draft rights to No. 50 pick Kobe Sanders to the Clippers and received the rights to No. 51 selection Mohamed Diawara plus Serbian forward Luka Mitrović.
Draft
• Round 2, No. 51: Mohamed Diawara (unsigned)
Departures
Free agents still on the market include Precious Achiuwa, MarJon Beauchamp, Kevin McCullar Jr. (RFA), Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, P.J. Tucker, Anton Watson and Delon Wright.
Other roster moves
• Mikal Bridges secured a four-year, $150 million extension starting in 2026-27; the deal features a fourth-year player option and a 5.69 percent trade kicker.
• The club exercised a $1.955 million team option on center Ariel Hukporti.
Coaching change
Mike Brown replaces Tom Thibodeau, who was dismissed after five seasons despite three straight playoff series victories and back-to-back 50-win years. Concerns over player usage and the belief the roster had untapped potential contributed to the move.
Cap snapshot
• Team salary: approximately $204.1 million
• Over the $154.6 million salary cap and above the $187.9 million luxury-tax line
• Hard-capped at $207.824 million, leaving roughly $3.72 million of space
• $185,000 of the taxpayer mid-level exception remains
• One frozen traded-player exception worth $2.092 million
What’s next
New York carries only 12 standard contracts and can add just one veteran minimum player before brushing the second apron; a 14th man must sign a rookie minimum deal. Candidates for the 13th spot include Landry Shamet, Ben Simmons, Malcolm Brogdon and Malik Beasley, pending the latter’s status in an ongoing federal gambling probe.
Second-round picks Mohamed Diawara and James Nnaji are expected to fill either the final roster slot or one of three open two-way contracts. Restricted free agent Kevin McCullar Jr. still holds a two-way qualifying offer, while former G League Ignite guard Dink Pate is set for an Exhibit 10 deal and a possible camp competition.
Mitchell Robinson remains eligible for an extension, but the injury-plagued center would likely need a team-friendly agreement to secure new money before next summer.
The Knicks will begin training camp looking to build on last spring’s playoff run while navigating one of the league’s tightest cap situations.
Source: Hoops Rumors
