Knicks hoping to keep Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet

The Knicks want to retain both Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet on their 15-man opening night, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports. That will require a trade to open up some salary cap space and Bondy’s sources around the league believe it will happen.

The Knicks are hard-capped and can’t exceed the $207.8 second tax apron threshold. They currently only have enough cap space to add one veteran on a minimum contract.

Brogdon and Shamet are among a handful of veteran players signed to non-guaranteed contracts to compete for that opening. Garrison Mathews, Matt Ryan and Alex Len were also signed this week. Bondy indicates that Brogdon and Shamet passed on other opportunities and wouldn’t have done so if they were worried about getting cut.

However, the competition for that contract might last until late in training camp. The Knicks could wait to ensure that both guards remain healthy and that Brogdon looks like he’ll bounce back after a lost season with the Wizards in which he played just 24 games. It would also give the other trio a chance to prove they’re worthy of a roster spot.

As for which player might be dealt, Miles McBride could be a somewhat surprising choice. McBride averaged 24.9 minutes per game last season but with Jalen Brunson and Miles Bridges entrenched as the starters and the addition of Jordan Clarkson, plus possibly Brogdon and/or Shamet, his playing time could be reduced.

Plus, he’s eligible for an extension next summer and could be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. The Knicks have so many long-term salary commitments that an extension for McBride could contribute to more cap restrictions down the road.

Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek are the other logical possibilities to be dealt. The Knicks have stated they are more committed to player development and Dadiet, their 2024 first-round pick, has the highest ceiling among their young reserves. Kolek, a 2024 second-rounder, is only making $2,191,897 — which would open up less cap space compared to McBride and Dadiet’s contracts — and has less trade value.