The New York Knicks are focused on keeping both Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet on their 15-man roster for opening night, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
Achieving that goal will likely require a trade to create the necessary salary cap space, and league sources cited by Bondy believe such a move is probable.
The Knicks are currently hard-capped and cannot exceed the $207.8 million second tax apron. As things stand, they only have enough flexibility beneath that threshold to carry a single veteran camp invitee on the regular-season roster.
Brogdon and Shamet are among several veterans signed to non-guaranteed contracts to compete for a roster spot, alongside Garrison Mathews, Matt Ryan, and Alex Len.
Bondy notes that both guards turned down other opportunities to join New York, indicating that they are confident in their chances and were not overly concerned about being cut.
Competition for roster spots may last well into training camp.
The Knicks could wait to ensure both guards remain healthy, and to see whether Brogdon can bounce back from a difficult season with the Wizards, where he played just 24 games. Waiting would also give the other three invitees a chance to prove their value.
As for potential trades, Bondy suggests that Miles McBride should not be ruled out.
Last season, McBride averaged 24.9 minutes per game, but with Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges firmly established as starters, plus the addition of Jordan Clarkson and the potential retention of Brogdon and Shamet, McBride’s playing time could be significantly reduced.
Additionally, he will be eligible for a contract extension next summer and could become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. With the Knicks already carrying significant long-term salary commitments, extending McBride could further limit their cap flexibility.
Other candidates for a trade include Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, though neither is expected to fetch as strong a return as McBride. The Knicks have emphasized their commitment to player development, and Dadiet, their 2024 first-round pick, is viewed as having the highest upside among the young reserves.
Kolek, a 2024 second-rounder earning $2.19 million, would provide little salary relief if traded, leaving the team with barely any room – roughly $44,000 – below the second tax apron.
Bondy’s reporting indicates that New York is carefully balancing the desire to retain experienced guards while managing salary constraints and fostering the development of their younger players.
The final decisions may not come until late in training camp, depending on health, performance, and how the team chooses to structure its rotation heading into the regular season.
Knicks Hoping To Keep Brogdon, Shamet https://t.co/kmJAyad0Ba pic.twitter.com/yOaZnUCTn2
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) September 18, 2025
