Feb 5, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) drives past Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) in the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

'They Will Have to Trade One of Them' – New York Knicks Face a Guard Dilemma After Free Agent Acquisitions

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 10:52 AM ET

The New York Knicks bolstered their guard depth this summer with the free agent acquisitions of Jordan Clarkson , Malcolm Brogdon, and Landry Shamet to back up Jalen Brunson . The team also has Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, and Pacome Dadiet in the backcourt.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the New York Knicks’ guard depth is overcrowded, so they might be forced to make a trade ahead of the regular season to offload at least one of them.

“The Knicks have signed Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet to nonguaranteed contracts ahead of training camp. If they want to keep both players on the regular-season roster, they will have to trade one of their players signed to a traditional NBA deal,” Begley explained in his mailbag article. “They need to do this because their team salary cannot exceed the second apron this season.”

Jan 27, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) dribbles against Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

“There are many different trade routes the Knicks can take to keep both Brogdon and Shamet. A trade of either Pacôme Dadiet or Miles McBride would clear enough cap space to sign both veterans. The Knicks can also trade Tyler Kolek and have enough space under the second apron to sign both Brogdon and Shamet,” he added.

New York Knicks insider dishes on team’s plans to retire Carmelo Anthony’s jersey

There’s a huge likelihood that the New York Knicks could retire Carmelo Anthony’s No. 7 jersey, but it’ll likely take some time before it can actually happen, per SNY’s Ian Begley.

Jan 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Iman Shumpert (21) and Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and Knicks power forward Andrea Bargnani (77) and Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) take the court for the final 0.2 seconds of the game during overtime of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Suns 98-96 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

“In checking around about this over the past couple of weeks, I can say that there remains strong support internally for retiring the number,” Begley noted.

“I can’t say with 100 percent certainty that the Knicks will retire his number. But the internal discussions about the topic have continued in recent weeks. The decision to retire — or not retire — Anthony’s number will ultimately be made by owner James Dolan,” he added.