‘Hard-Capped at the Second Apron’ – Knicks May Need To Trade Says Insider

According to former NBA executive Bobby Marks, the team is hard-capped at the second apron after strengthening their bench. This could lead to a potential mid-season trade to avoid the penalties.

“Because they improved their bench in the offseason by signing Guerschon Yabusele to the tax mid-level exception, they are hard-capped at the second apron,” Marks writes.

“The restriction will force New York to trade either one of its draft picks from last June (Tyler Kolek or Pacome Dadiet) if the goal is to retain veterans Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet. Despite being over the first apron, the Knicks are allowed to include cash in any trade and have up to eight second-round picks available. Trading Dadiet’s $2.8 million salary would allow New York to sign a 15th player during the season.””

Carmelo Anthony believes the Knicks can rule the East this season

Former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is a big believer that his former team could take over their conference and be the No. 1 team in the East. Anthony said New York has enough pieces to be a winning team this season.

“The Knicks will be the No. 1 seed in the East. I want to talk about why I believe that,” Anthony said. “They’ve been primed for this position for the past three, four years. They have everything that you could possibly need [for] a winning formula.”

According to him, New York has the right point guard (Jalen Brunson), the best big man in Karl-Anthony Towns. Anthony also cited that the acquisition of Clarkson and Brogdon will help give Brunson the chance to take rests. The Hall of Fame player also gave credit to Mike Brown, the team’s newest head coach.