The Knicks appear to be leaning toward hanging onto two of their veteran camp invitees for the regular season, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, who hears from league sources that guards Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet are the frontrunners to make the team.
Due to their lack of flexibility below a second-apron hard cap, the Knicks would have to make a trade in order to retain both Brogdon and Shamet. According to Edwards, the front office has had conversations with rival teams about second-year forward Pacome Dadiet, who would be one of the team’s prime trade candidates in that scenario.
Dadiet has had a good offseason behind the scenes, Edwards writes, which has perhaps made the Knicks less inclined to trade the Frenchman, who was the 25th overall pick in the 2024 draft.
However, his salary ($2.85MM) makes him a more logical trade candidate than fellow 2024 draftee Tyler Kolek ($2.19MM), given the slim margins New York is working with. Edwards also believes Dadiet is more likely than Kolek to warrant a worthwhile return on the trade market, though he cautions it probably wouldn’t be more than a second-round pick or two.
The Knicks are currently carrying 12 players on standard contracts, plus Brogdon, Shamet, Garrison Mathews, Alex Len, Matt Ryan, and Mohamed Diawara on non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 and/or Exhibit 10 deals. If New York retains Diawara (who is on a rookie minimum deal) and one of those vets, the team’s salary for its regular season roster would be about $148K below its hard cap.
If the Knicks were to trade Dadiet without taking back any salary, then kept two non-guaranteed vets alongside Diawara, that breathing room below the hard cap would increase to roughly $700K. If the club were to trade Kolek instead of Diawara and hung onto two vets and Diawara, the distance from the hard cap would shrink to just $44K. Trading Ariel Hukporti in order to keep both Brogdon and Shamet wouldn’t be an option, since Hukporti’s cap hit isn’t big enough to swap it out for an extra veteran minimum deal.
Unless the Knicks are inclined to make a much more significant deal, which seems unlikely, Miles McBride would be the only other trade candidate on the bench, but Edwards would be surprised if the front office makes a move involving McBride, who is expected to play a regular rotation role.
If the Knicks don’t find a trade they like ahead of the regular season, they’d only be able to carry one of Brogdon or Shamet into opening night, but the front office could continue exploring trades during the season in order to create some additional back-end roster flexibility and re-sign one of those players (or another free agent).
I’d make all 2024 first round picks available for trade (upgrade trade)
95% of them are hopeless to me
L-M-A-O
The Knicks wouldn’t be in this salary cap money situation if OG took a lesser deal like the others. If anyone should be traded, it’s OG. A selfish player costing the Knicks one of the few young players they have left.
Oh shut up
It’s his fault they offered him that amount and co-signed the contract.
Dadiet, Diawara and James Nnaji for cash and picks
To Brooklyn for Wolf or Timme
Diawara can’t be traded, and moving him wouldn’t open up a roster spot as he makes too little.
He didn’t sign yet so I believe his draft rights can be traded
We need a second round pick (Diawara or Nnaji, but Diawara looks much better) on a minimum on the standard roster to fit under the cap. This is true in any of the given scenarios. Agree with trading Dadiet for picks, and throw in Nnaji’s draft rights if it moves the needle.
If they get rid a Dadiet, they chose not to keep Pate or James Nnaji. So why have only one young player in Diawara? Kolek who is the 2nd youngest at 24. Diawara is going to end up like Dadiet is right now.
You could promote McCullar to a standard contract instead. Trade Dadiet, Diawara and James Nnaji for cash and someone. Brooklyn and New York should make a deal and help each other out
We need a player with a $1.3M cap hit. The only two eligible are Diawara and Nnaji, and Nnaji looks like trash.
If this is truly an all in season or nothing approach for the Knicks. Would they consider OG and Mitch for LBJ?
Is LeBron playing Center?
What is Josh Hart doing on a LeBron team
What is Brunson doing
Etc
And watch the D plummet. Brunson, Bron and Kat would be abysmal on the defensive end. Would sell jerseys and season tickets though.
This is all still noise to me. I’ve read some articles. Where Brogdon talks about playing for Knicks. He seems legit. Although I still want to see how he looks on the floor. I have also read articles how coach Brown will use McBride. And how his offense will benefit him and Bridges most. Still too early to make judgement calls.
I see a trade later on with Mitch and others. To upgrade team D around Towns and Brunson. I hope Brogdon makes it hard for them to decide. NYK
[Bondy] Mitchell Robinson is starting at center in the preseason opener, Mike Brown says.
LMFAO