The Knicks are one of the few teams with cap space in free agency with ESPN’s Bobby Marks indicating that they are roughly $17 million below the salary cap.
Of course, the franchise is pursuing Jalen Brunson, and to offer him the rumored four-year, $100 million deal, the front office will have to carve out more space prior to the official start of free agency.
Multiple outlets have reported how real the Knicks’ chances of signing Brunson are.
More Knicks Rumors
- The Knicks and Clippers have had trade discussions surrounding a deal that sends Nerlens Noel to Los Angeles, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports. As mentioned, New York needs to clear out further space to ink Brunson and if they can find a way to move on from Noel without taking back salary, that would put them in a good position to make the Villanova product a competitive offer. As for the Clippers, acquiring Noel would likely bring an end to Isaiah Hartenstein‘s tenure with the club, as the franchise is unlikely to be able to afford Noel (who is making $9.24 million next season) and a new contract for the former Cavaliers big man.
- RJ Barrett is eligible for an extension this offseason and what kind of deal he receives will be an interesting subplot to the Knicks’ offseason. Fred Katz of The Athletic ran of a poll of 16 front office executives, asking about what they would offer the former No. 3 overall pick if they ran the Knicks. Responses ranged from $15-to-$30 million annually with a four-year, $100 million deal as the mode. No executive was willing to say that they would offer Barrett a max contract, Katz notes.
- It remains to be seen whether this is anything substantial or not, but Donovan Mitchell reportedly was seen in New York having dinner with Knicks point guard Immanuel Quickley. Mitchell has long been linked to the Knicks, though it’s worth noting that players from rival teams hang out all the time in the offseason, so it’s likely nothing of note. Additionally, with Brunson likely to join the Knicks, Quickley could be a trade candidate anyways.
