Knicks Rumors: PJ Tucker, Free Agency Targets, Mike Brown

The Knicks are expected to decline their $3.5 million team option on veteran forward P.J. Tucker, but that may not be the end of his time in New York.

Tucker, who joined the Knicks in March, saw limited minutes on the court but quickly earned praise for his leadership behind the scenes. As Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports, the front office values his veteran presence enough that a return on a new deal remains possible, even if the option isn’t picked up.

Also worth monitoring: Bondy notes that free agent guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet are close friends of Mikal Bridges, potentially increasing the odds they land in New York this summer. Both guards bring playoff experience and could fill depth roles, especially with the Knicks expected to tweak their backcourt rotation.

In terms of bigger names with smaller price tags, veterans Al Horford, Nicolas Batum, and Chris Paul have been floated as potential low-cost targets. Each brings leadership and postseason savvy, traits the Knicks continue to prioritize.

Another name generating buzz is Luke Kennard, the sharpshooter from Memphis. According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, Kennard is a free agent worth watching, though prying him away from higher-paying suitors may be a challenge. Still, his ties to Creative Artists Agency (CAA) — an organization with deep Knicks connections — could swing things in New York’s favor.

Edwards also lists Spencer Dinwiddie and Trey Lyles as possible mid-level exception candidates. Lyles, in particular, fits the Knicks’ mold of a versatile forward who can space the floor and contribute off the bench.

Meanwhile, the Knicks continue to cast a wide net in their coaching search. Former Kings head coach Mike Brown interviewed with the team on Wednesday, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Brown, who recently guided Sacramento to a breakthrough season, is one of several experienced names under consideration.

In typical Knicks fashion, it’s never just one move — it’s the ripple effects that follow. Whether it’s keeping Tucker on a vet deal, reuniting Bridges with familiar faces, or dipping into the mid-level market, New York is weighing short-term help with long-term chemistry.