The NBA offseason is heating up, and the rumor mill is spinning faster than a Steph Curry three-pointer. As we look ahead to the free agency period, there's plenty of buzz surrounding some key players who could be on the move.
First up, let's talk about Landry Shamet. The Knicks' wing has caught the eye of several teams across the league.
With the Knicks potentially facing financial constraints, it seems unlikely they'll be able to keep both Shamet and Mitchell Robinson if they want to avoid surpassing the second tax apron. Shamet, a favorite of head coach Mike Brown and the Knicks' front office, has rival teams eagerly waiting to make their move should he hit the open market.
Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks' backup center, is another name drawing attention. He's expected to receive offers around the full mid-level exception, which starts at $15 million next season. Robinson's defensive prowess and rebounding skills make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their frontcourt.
Switching gears, Dean Wade, a versatile forward known for his defensive abilities and reliable three-point shooting, is on the radar of several teams. The Cavaliers, Sixers, Lakers, Spurs, Suns, Pistons, and Trail Blazers are all reportedly interested. Wade's connection with new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who played a pivotal role in bringing him to Cleveland, adds an intriguing layer to his free agency story.
Meanwhile, Mavericks big man Marvin Bagley III is expected to draw significant interest as well. The former No. 2 overall pick could be looking at a contract around the taxpayer mid-level exception, valued at $6.2 million annually. Bagley's potential and athleticism make him a valuable asset for teams in need of frontcourt depth.
Brandon Williams, a guard who made notable strides last season with the Mavericks, is also on the radar. The Suns, Warriors, Celtics, and Mavericks are among those eyeing the 26-year-old. Williams' speed and ability to contribute off the bench make him a desirable target for teams seeking to add dynamism to their perimeter play.
Lastly, Jock Landale, a veteran center, is drawing interest from the Hawks, who are keen on re-signing him. However, they'll face stiff competition from the Bulls, Lakers, Clippers, Sixers, and Cavaliers. Landale is expected to receive offers exceeding the bi-annual exception, highlighting his value as a reliable presence in the paint.
As the clock ticks towards the opening of free agency, teams are gearing up to make their moves. With so many players attracting attention, this offseason promises to be as thrilling as a buzzer-beater in Game 7. Stay tuned, hoops fans, because the action is just getting started.
In Other News...
Knicks May Have A Way To Keep Mitchell Robinson After All
Mitchell Robinsons next contract has become one of the more delicate Knicks questions, not just because he matters on the floor, but because of how tightly New York is trying to manage its books. Owner James Dolan has been reluctant to push too far past the NBAs second-apron luxury-tax line, which has made any long-term retention plan feel complicated even as the Knicks weigh how much they want to invest in keeping their center in place.
Still, there is a path for the front office to explore if Robinsons market does not spiral out of control. New York could use a short-term approach that keeps the roster together now and gives the team room to adjust later, with smaller trades and salary trimming potentially providing a way to get back under the line. The wrinkle is timing, because the Knicks would need enough flexibility to make that cleanup work before the leagues harsher penalties start to bind their future. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Just Got A Warning About How Brunson Could View This
Nikola Jokics looming contract choice in Denver has put a familiar fear back on the radar in New York: what happens when a franchise player has enough leverage to decide whether a max extension is really the move? For the Knicks, the name to watch is Jalen Brunson, whose future could eventually intersect with the same kind of decision point if the team keeps operating with a hard eye on its spending limits.
James Dolans reported reluctance to push the Knicks past the second salary apron only sharpens the issue, because that posture can shape more than just one contract negotiation. It affects how much flexibility the front office has now and how convincing the long-term pitch can be later, with the possibility of having to navigate tough calls on core pieces and, eventually, on the player the franchise would least want to lose. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Koleks Knicks Path Just Got A Lot Murkier
The Knicks backcourt picture got a little more crowded with news that the team has agreed to a three-year extension with Jose Alvarado, a move that reinforces the depth chart behind Jalen Brunson and trims the runway for Tyler Kolek. For a young guard trying to carve out a role, the timing matters. Every extra ballhandler changes the minutes math, the practice reps and the margin for error, and New York has made clear it values guards who can handle the ball, defend and keep the rotation flexible.
Kolek still has the kind of passing feel that can keep him in the conversation, but the path to steady playing time looks narrower now than it did before Alvarados return. The Knicks can try to get creative by using Kolek in more of a combo role, though that would come with its own ripple effects elsewhere on the roster. If the front office eventually looks for ways to balance the group, Kolek could wind up in the kind of trade conversation that often involves draft assets or bigger roster needs, which is why this latest move feels bigger than one backup guard signing. [Read more 🡒]