The Knicks are exercising their 2025/26 team option on Ariel Hukporti, but are declining their option on P.J. Tucker, league sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Hukporti’s option is worth just under $2MM and his salary for next season will remain non-guaranteed. Tucker’s was worth about $3.5MM and also would have been non-guaranteed had it been exercised.
According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link), the Knicks are also issuing a two-way qualifying offer to Kevin McCullar, making him a restricted free agent.
A 23-year-old center from Germany, Hukporti was the 58th pick of last year’s draft. He battled injuries during his rookie season, appearing in 25 regular season games with averages of 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per contest.
Although he barely played for New York after signing at the end of last season and is now 40 years old, it’s technically possible that Tucker could re-sign with the Knicks on a new non-guaranteed contract for the veteran’s minimum. That would substantially lower his cap hit and actually pay him a little more money while maintaining roster flexibility for the Knicks, who reportedly valued Tucker’s leadership in the locker room.
McCullar was also a second-round pick last year, having been selected No. 56 overall. He was injured to open his rookie campaign and only made four NBA appearances for a total of 29 minutes, with the majority of that playing time coming in the regular season finale.
All Knicks rookies from 2024-25 need to step up next year. Hukporti is a solid backup C. Just get well big fella ……..
Kolek and McCullers would have stepped up if given more of an opportunity
No brainer. Surely PJ is dine?
Oh, he’s definitely dining.
PJ had a great career lol. Probably go into coaching keep cashing those checks.