After Landry Shamet won the preseason battle for Nix‘ last available roster spot in 2025, it looks like the team is going to make another run to open a backend roster (or two) this fall.
Wednesday, New York officially signed three wings – Bruce Brown, John Kancharand Broken black – and two big men – Drew Eubanks and James Wiseman – to non-guaranteed contracts that include Exhibition 9 language.
Clause 9 of the Schedule protects the team in the event that one of those players suffers an injury during training camp or the preseason that rules them out for the season. In that case, the Knicks would only expect a one-time payment of $15,000, rather than paying the player’s salary until he recovers.
The Knicks currently have 13 players under guaranteed contracts, leaving two spots open on the 15-man roster. However, trans Yossi Gozlan of CapSheetsthe club operates just $3.27 million below the threshold for the second apron. A minimum wage contract the cap is around $2.45MM, so keeping two of those camp invitees without additional roster changes would push the team’s payroll above the second apron.
The Knicks have no problem on the second apron, and they could take a full 15-man roster on opening night if they wanted to. It would prevent them from making certain roster moves, such as using any part of the mid-level taxpayer exception or aggregating salary in a trade, but those restrictions are unlikely to affect them in the short term, and they’ll still have plenty of time to drop below the second apron before the trade deadline.
However, the owner of the team James Dolan was firm in his desire stay out of second apron territory, so there can only be one roster spot for the Knicks’ five veteran invitees to camp.
It is difficult to predict who will score in such a scenario, but Kanchar could be the favourite. He reportedly chose the Knicks over other suitors and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that the veteran wing will have a “strong opportunity” to earn a spot in the regular season. Even after New York completed its other signings on Wednesday, Ian Begley of SNY.tv reiterated that Kanchar is in a good position to make the team.
However, some on the Knicks staff may prefer the team keep the center. After the loss Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hookporti the team just signed in free agency Andre Drummond as a replacement so Eubanks or Wiseman can provide important frontcourt insurance Karl-Anthony Towns and Drummond. Eubanks, an eight-year NBA veteran, may be a safer choice for depth, while Wiseman, a former No. 2 overall pick who has struggled with health since entering the league, has more upside.
Even if the Knicks don’t have a center, Kanchar shouldn’t be considered a lock to make the team — Brown is only a few years into the Nuggets’ 2023 title team, and he remained effective in a rotation role last season, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on .475/.385/.762 shooting. played all 82 games for Denver.
I think Agbaji has the longer shot to survive on the Knicks roster, but the former lottery pick had a pretty good year in Toronto in 2024/25, averaging 10.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg while shooting .498/.399/.708 in 64 outings (45 starts).
If the Knicks decide to stay out of second court territory, even temporarily, they need to trade one of their current players to keep more than one of those five camp invitees. In such a scenario, Pakome Dadiet ($2.98 million) or Tyler Kolek ($2.3 million) are likely to be prime candidates for a move. Trading Dudiet or Kolek without returning a player in return would allow the Knicks to hang on to at least two of this week’s signings — or up to three if they decide to go above the second apron.
Still, Dudiet and Kolek haven’t shown much at the NBA level right now and wouldn’t have much value on the trade market, so the Knicks may have to push the team to make a deal. They might not find it worth it if they have to tie up a second-round pick.
Sending only cash would be better, but it would severely limit the club to a second venue until the end of the 2026/27 season, reducing front office flexibility going forward. Of course, if Dolan still insists on treating the second apron as a de facto hard hat, it may not matter much.
We want to know what you think. Among Kanchar, Brown, Agbaji, Eubanks and Wiseman, who will (and should) make the Knicks’ regular season lineup? Do you expect New York to make a trade — or move above the second apron — to keep more than one of them?
Head to the comments section below to weigh in with your thoughts and predictions!