Knicks’ title defense comes with a second-apron problem

The Knicks are finding out what happens when a championship roster gets expensive. Michael Zeno of Posting and Toasting raised an interesting point: The NBA’s second apron helped create New York’s opportunity to win a title, and now it complicates the attempt to keep that team together.

Zeno traces the chain back to Minnesota’s payroll crunch, which helped make Karl-Anthony Towns available, and Boston’s subsequent roster changes. The Knicks benefited from both. Today, they have extension decisions involving Towns, Josh Hart and Miles McBride, while owner James Dolan has said he intends to stay below the second apron.

Towns has made his frustration with contract talks public. Hart has acknowledged that the conversation could change closer to the February trade deadline if the extensions aren’t settled. Neither comment means a trade is inevitable, but it’s enough to put the finances alongside the basketball as New York opens its title defense.

Zeno’s full piece is worth reading for the broader argument about how quickly the second apron can change a contender’s fortunes. The Knicks have the trophy. Now they have to decide what they’re willing to spend to chase another