James L. Edwards III of The Athletic looks at some of the training camp storylines to keep an eye on Nixincluding how Jalen BrunsonA surgically repaired wrist appearance, who will win the battle for the 14th roster spot and whether or not the team can still have a trade up their sleeve by opening night.
According to Edwards, one interesting wrinkle to keep an eye on is the status of the 47th overall pick Tyler Nickellwho is one of the few 2026 draftees who haven’t signed the contract yet for the 2026/27 season. If the federal ruling giving him a fifth year of NCAA eligibility is upheld, Nickell could make more money on a college NIL deal than a two-way NBA contract, so Edwards wonders if the team will try to find a spot for him on the 15-man roster to give him a more lucrative standard contract.
Unless the Knicks change their minds about crossing the second tax bracket or retain any of the five veterans invited to camp — Bruce Brown, John Kanchar, Broken black, Drew Eubanksand James Wiseman – competing for a roster spot, signing Nickel to a standard contract will trigger a trade. Edwards species Miles McBride and Pakome Dadiet as the top trade candidates on New York’s roster, though he admits he would be surprised if McBride went anywhere before the season begins.
We have more from across the Atlantic:
- What members of Art Networks most at stake in 2026/27? Brian Lewis of The New York Post addresses this issue in a subscriber-only article identifying Julius Randle, Michael Porter Jr, Noah Clowneyand 2025 no-Yehor Demin first-rounders as the players facing the most pressure. Both Porter and Clowney are on expiring contracts, while Randle has an opt-out option in 2027. Meanwhile Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Sarafand Danny Wolf were “inconsistent at best” as rookies and will need to show more as sophomores to prove they should be part of Brooklyn’s long-term plans.
- In the same story, Lewis suggests that the longtime general manager Sean Marks will be ‘under the microscope’ in 2026/27 given that Networks don’t have control over their 2027 first-round pick, and the roster still doesn’t look like a playoff contender. The development of young players such as Demin and Mikel Brown Jr will be key for a front office that has worked patiently while dealing with an unlucky lottery pick.
- One known player agent who spoke to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca asked why Predators would give Kawhi Leonard player option in his new two-year period, $115 million expansioncalling it “a great deal for Kawha.” However, Grange believes the option could be a win-win as it would allow Leonard to opt out in 2028 in order to sign a new multi-year contract with a lower starting salary, e.g. James Harden did in Cleveland this offseason.
